I've had an issue with a barking neighbor's dog who spent the morning barking and getting all the dogs in the neighborhood barking including my own. This in turn got me thinking about something I sent to my uncle a retired programmer about a year ago.
For those that have written programs or have used game script, you might appreciate this:
My uncle's response first (in reverse order)
Hmmm ... Sounds like a description of Grommet [My dog]. So there's also a Dog.Laserlight.Chase routine invoked by Dog.Laserlight.Pen.Detect. This must be in version 1.0 as it appears to be inherited from class Cat.
On 6/24/2014 11:55 AM, John Citron wrote:
I’ve come to realize that dogs aren’t dumb or smart. It’s all about their OS level and scripting capabilities. Dogs run what is called Dog Script which controls such functions as sniffing and barking. There are various versions that come out as dogs get older. Puppies come with versions 1.0 to 2.0, depending upon the breed. An advanced dog, coming with version 2.5 or higher is a rarity, so if you ever get your hands on one protect it and treat it well as they can be quite valuable as they can be upgraded as far as version 5.0 which is the maximum that most breeds (models) currently allow.
Having said this, I recently did some further investigating into Dog Script. Like most higher-level scripting languages such as .NET and PowerShell, the command structure is quite complex as it’s very similar to Java, C++, and other higher-level languages as of late. Below is an example of the dog.bark function.
//Dog.Bark function //
// This function is called up by various stimuli the dog receives due to input from his environment. //
// Defining fixed variables…//
Var Bark
// Dog Script requires that fixed variables be defined prior to operation because these are called from a stack of built-in subroutines built into DOGBIOS. Other ad hoc input variables, however, can be defined on the fly as they are not referenced from the built-in hardware libraries. Once the dog is side-tracked or sleeps, these variables are flushed from the stack. Some ad hoc variables, based on their source, can be saved to the NOVRAM. These then are treated as though they are built into the DOGBIOS and are then have to be declared prior to running a routine.
…
An example script
// Beginning of function.
Begin Main Void Dog.Bark.Cycle ();
// Dogs bark in small groups of 3 to 5 with up to 10 barks as a complete set and then repeat this until the stimuli has been interrupted. Here is a sample routine of a large 10-bark cycle which occurs with small yippy dogs.
{ public static void main(String[] args){ int count = 1; while (count < 10) { Bark("Count is: " + count); count++; } }}
Dog Script also handles Case functions so that the various stimuli can trigger a dog bark routine. The doorbell is a classic example. Once the stimulus is entered, the dog.bark.routine is called and the dog barks until the cycle has ended or is interrupted by recognition or a toy interrupt. A dog, can however, call up the dog.bark.routine again and again while the stimulus appears, disappears, and then reappears.
Here’s an example in pseudo-pseudo-extra-pseudo code:
A stranger appears at the door, press door bell. Dog barks N=10 times in groups of 3. Stranger gets accepted by family. Dog goes off after calling greeting routine and tail.wag.cycle is implemented. Stranger exits to get something from vehicle and enters house again. The dog starts the dog.bark.cycle, the greeting routine again until stranger is accepted. Stranger needs to get something else from vehicle. Dog hears door and then calls the dog.bark.cycle again then followed by the tail.wag.cycle.
etc.
For those that have written programs or have used game script, you might appreciate this:
My uncle's response first (in reverse order)
Hmmm ... Sounds like a description of Grommet [My dog]. So there's also a Dog.Laserlight.Chase routine invoked by Dog.Laserlight.Pen.Detect. This must be in version 1.0 as it appears to be inherited from class Cat.
On 6/24/2014 11:55 AM, John Citron wrote:
I’ve come to realize that dogs aren’t dumb or smart. It’s all about their OS level and scripting capabilities. Dogs run what is called Dog Script which controls such functions as sniffing and barking. There are various versions that come out as dogs get older. Puppies come with versions 1.0 to 2.0, depending upon the breed. An advanced dog, coming with version 2.5 or higher is a rarity, so if you ever get your hands on one protect it and treat it well as they can be quite valuable as they can be upgraded as far as version 5.0 which is the maximum that most breeds (models) currently allow.
Having said this, I recently did some further investigating into Dog Script. Like most higher-level scripting languages such as .NET and PowerShell, the command structure is quite complex as it’s very similar to Java, C++, and other higher-level languages as of late. Below is an example of the dog.bark function.
//Dog.Bark function //
// This function is called up by various stimuli the dog receives due to input from his environment. //
// Defining fixed variables…//
Var Bark
// Dog Script requires that fixed variables be defined prior to operation because these are called from a stack of built-in subroutines built into DOGBIOS. Other ad hoc input variables, however, can be defined on the fly as they are not referenced from the built-in hardware libraries. Once the dog is side-tracked or sleeps, these variables are flushed from the stack. Some ad hoc variables, based on their source, can be saved to the NOVRAM. These then are treated as though they are built into the DOGBIOS and are then have to be declared prior to running a routine.
…
An example script
// Beginning of function.
Begin Main Void Dog.Bark.Cycle ();
// Dogs bark in small groups of 3 to 5 with up to 10 barks as a complete set and then repeat this until the stimuli has been interrupted. Here is a sample routine of a large 10-bark cycle which occurs with small yippy dogs.
{ public static void main(String[] args){ int count = 1; while (count < 10) { Bark("Count is: " + count); count++; } }}
Dog Script also handles Case functions so that the various stimuli can trigger a dog bark routine. The doorbell is a classic example. Once the stimulus is entered, the dog.bark.routine is called and the dog barks until the cycle has ended or is interrupted by recognition or a toy interrupt. A dog, can however, call up the dog.bark.routine again and again while the stimulus appears, disappears, and then reappears.
Here’s an example in pseudo-pseudo-extra-pseudo code:
A stranger appears at the door, press door bell. Dog barks N=10 times in groups of 3. Stranger gets accepted by family. Dog goes off after calling greeting routine and tail.wag.cycle is implemented. Stranger exits to get something from vehicle and enters house again. The dog starts the dog.bark.cycle, the greeting routine again until stranger is accepted. Stranger needs to get something else from vehicle. Dog hears door and then calls the dog.bark.cycle again then followed by the tail.wag.cycle.
etc.
