Save Saver Plugin

[RocketSquid]

I'm currently working on a tool that will allow players to fix a corrupted save file. It will accomplish this by reading the save, finding the error preventing KSP from reading the file, giving an error message and allowing the player to fix it. The secondary goal is for it to also serve as a full save editor.

Before I can start, I need to know some basic information about how KSP reads .sfs files. What will raise an error, besides missing brackets?

[Hysterrics]

Interesting. Good luck on this project.

[wasml]

If you look at the structure of the save file you'll notice the saved ships have links to the parts they're attached to - these could get corrupted.

Not corrupt save files but errors due to mucking about or updating mods:

A missing mod (or part from a mod) will still load but delete any craft that used any of its parts.

Missing texture files.

There are also errors in the game that can leave a save corrupted like the old docking port problem (I think that ones been solved). Would leave a ship unable to undock and was fixable by editing the save file. I don't know of any off hand but you might check mods from "The Claw" who writes (wrote?) mods to fix bugs in the game.

[swjr-swis]

I like the initiative, but make sure to check on the dev notes of a week (or two?) ago: Squad mentioned that they are working on something similar already integrated in the game.

It may not exactly cover the scope you mention (they're looking at it more from a backwards compatibility perspective, loading old saves when KSP is upgraded), so a more general fixer/parser of the savefiles may still be very useful.

In any case, the type of information you gather to make this possible would be very welcome as well in the KSP wiki, either as update to the often older information already there, or to fill the current gaps. As a side effect, once you start, others may feel like assisting with bits and pieces of details they found out over time. Something to consider.

Edited March 6, 2016 by swjr-swis
added dev notes link