## Why
Delta world saves re-serialize an entity only when it has been marked dirty. An audit of the generated classes found three ways serialized state changes without a mark; this PR closes the ones that do not need a new generator package.
## What
- **Custom `[SerializableProperty]` setters mark dirty.** Twelve hand-written setters assigned their backing field without `this.MarkDirty()`. `PlagueBeastLord.OpenedBy` was an auto-property carrying the attribute with no backing field at all; it is now a generated field with the same name, order and command-property exposure.
- **Generated sub-objects are linked to their owner.** Without a `[DirtyTrackingEntity]` member the generator emits setters that mark nothing. Eight entity-owned sub-objects now carry the link and receive the owner through the constructor the generator calls: `BOBFilter` (owner is `IEntity`: a `PlayerMobile` or a `BulkOrderBook`), `BOBLargeSubEntry`, `PuzzleChestSolution` and `PuzzleChestSolutionAndTime`, `TalismanAttribute` (the random factories now take the talisman), `VendorItem`, `PlayerBBMessage`, `RaffleEntry`, `ShardPollOption`. Migration schemas were regenerated with the pinned tool; the only change is the value rule argument becoming `DeserializationRequiresParent`.
- **BaseVendor uses the generator; restock amounts are no longer persisted.** The only state it wrote was which buy entries had grown restock amounts, packed by index into the live `SBInfos` tables. Restock is transient now and rebuilds on load; version 1 records are read and discarded through the legacy path. Every vendor subclass now serializes through a generated chain.
## Generator 4.1.0
This PR adopts SerializationGenerator 4.1.0 (modernuo/SerializationGenerator#55): SG3019/SG3020 diagnostics, `[VolatileSerializedState]`, `StopXxx()` timer helpers, and owner-constructor preference for sub-objects (so dictionary values are constructed with their owner; the 4.0.0 relink fallback is gone). `PlayerVendor.v3.json` gains `DeserializationRequiresParent` for its `VendorItem` values so the migration content struct constructs them with their vendor.
SG3019 is an error under `TreatWarningsAsErrors` and generator diagnostics ignore pragmas, so the five contexts that live in whole-file player-keyed persistences (`ChampionTitle`, `ChampionTitleContext`, `MurderContext`, `VirtueContext`, `JailRecord`) now carry a `[DirtyTrackingEntity]` link to their `PlayerMobile`, which is where they will live once those blobs move onto the player record. `JailSystem.EmptyRecord` keeps a null player (`[CanBeNull]`). `ChampionTitle` needs both a context and a player constructor because the generator resolves the rule against the containing type but emits the call with the parent field; a comment in the file records this.
## Wire format
Unchanged. No version bumps except `BaseVendor` 1 to 2 (which now writes nothing of its own). Schema diffs are rule-argument only (`DeserializationRequiresParent`).
## Testing
Server.Tests 848 passed, UOContent.Tests 759 passed.
## Summary
Phase 3 of the anchored-time work: **every actively-written delta-time value in the engine now stores an anchored timestamp** — absolute on the wire, shifted forward by the downtime at load. Remaining time survives restarts (as delta did), and unlike delta, the bytes do not change on every save, so an idle world serializes identically save after save.
The answer to "is it possible everywhere": **yes** — including the one case that looked impossible.
## The GenericPersistence problem, solved
`GenericPersistence` bins (`Virtues.bin`, `StealableArtifacts.bin`, …) are raw payloads with no idx header, so they have no anchor of their own — anchored reads there would silently apply zero shift. But the anchor is a property of the **save**, not the file: every file in one save shares one `World.SaveStartTime`, and `Persistence.Load` reads **all** entity indexes (phase 1) before **any** persistence payload (phase 2). So the idx v5 header stamps a save-wide `World.LoadTimeShift`, and generic persistence readers inherit it. No file-format change, no per-bin header, old bins unaffected.
## Converted
- **Item v10 → v11**: `LastMoved` — previously whole-minute delta, rewritten every save for every item, the single largest source of idle-save churn — and `DecayResetTime` (retiring the TODO from #2583). **Mobile v37 → v38**: the three stat-gain stamps. **BaseCreature v20 → v21**: `SummonEnd`.
- **17 code-generated classes** (`[DeltaDateTime]` → `[AnchoredDateTime]`, version bump + `MigrateFrom` each): the five field spells, TransientItem, VirtueContext (×7 fields), PuzzleChestSolutionAndTime, BaseCamp, BaseBoat, RentedVendor, PlayerVendor, Ethics Player, Sheep, StarRoomGate, ChampionSpawn (×3), Corpse (`TimeOfDeath`, v19). The `MigrateFrom` bodies were generated from each class's current migration schema and are compiler-verified; VirtueContext's save-flagged nullables fall back to the same defaults the old deserialize left in place. Corpse's six migrations moved to a new `Corpse.Migrations.cs`.
- **Hand-written sites**: StealableArtifacts (v2), VendorInventory (v1), ML quest objectives (persistence v3) — each gated on its own version.
**Not converted, deliberately**: the ~25 read-only `ReadDeltaTime` sites in legacy version fallbacks and migration replays — they decode existing old bytes and must never change. `[DeltaDateTime]`/`WriteDeltaTime` remain available for them.
## Verification
- Build 0 errors / 0 warnings; **837 + 708 tests green**.
- Schema regeneration produced exactly the 17 expected new `vN.json` files (all `AnchoredTime` rule args), nothing else touched.
- **New acceptance tests** pin the point of the whole effort: serializing the same item at two save times **5 hours apart produces byte-identical output**, and `LastMoved`/`DecayResetTime` round-trip **exactly** at sub-minute precision (the old minutes encoding destroyed both properties).
## Notes for review
- `LastMoved` grows from a 1–3 byte encoded minutes value to 8-byte ticks per item — the price of byte-stability; it repays itself in incremental-save behavior since unchanged items now produce unchanged bytes.
- BaseEscortable-style semantics are unchanged: anchored shift preserves *remaining* time exactly, the same contract delta provided, so no gameplay-visible behavior changes — deadlines simply stop being consumed by downtime that delta already protected against, now with stable bytes.
## Enforcement
`WriteDeltaTime` is now `[Obsolete]` (interface + implementation). With the repo's warnings-as-errors, any new delta-time write — hand-written or emitted by a still-unconverted `[DeltaDateTime]` field — fails the build, with the migration instructions in the message. That the full solution still builds with **zero warnings** is itself the proof no active delta writer survived the conversion. `ReadDeltaTime` deliberately stays un-attributed: its remaining callers decode existing old bytes and are correct forever; its XML docs now state the legacy-decode-only contract.
## Summary
Folds **113** hand-written `[SerializableProperty]` members into plain `[SerializableField]` declarations using the v4 setter hooks — value coercion/vetoes via `allowFieldChange`, post-change side effects via `fieldChanged` (whose `oldValue` parameter covers the old-house/old-sender unsubscribe patterns). Net **-450 lines** of setter boilerplate.
```cs
// before
[SerializableProperty(1)]
[CommandProperty(AccessLevel.GameMaster)]
public int Charges
{
get => _charges;
set
{
_charges = Math.Clamp(value, 0, MaxCharges);
InvalidateProperties();
this.MarkDirty();
}
}
// after
[SerializableField(1, allowFieldChange: nameof(AllowChargesChange))]
[SerializedCommandProperty(AccessLevel.GameMaster)]
[InvalidateProperties]
private int _charges;
private bool AllowChargesChange(ref int value)
{
value = Math.Clamp(value, 0, MaxCharges);
return true;
}
```
## How sites were selected
A classifier parsed all 204 `[SerializableProperty]` sites and converted only those matching strict shapes: getter is exactly `get => _field;`, the assignment comes first (after at most an equality guard), and relocated side effects contain no `return`, no `value` mutation, and no field re-assignment. Everything else was left alone deliberately:
- **~34 custom getters** (fallback defaults like `_x == -1 ? Default : _x`, self-healing refs) — no setter hook can express these.
- **~35 pre-assignment logic** (durability Unscale/Scale sandwiches, old-state captures like PotionKeg's pile weight).
- **virtual/override members, name-mismatched backing fields (`m_`), exotic semantics** (guards' `Focus` does work on *equal* assignment; `ChampionSpawn.Active` never assigns its field).
Five sites the classifier refused were converted by hand where the hooks fit cleanly: `ReceiverCrystal.Sender`, `PlayerVendor.House`, `PlayerBarkeeper.House` (old-value unsubscribe via `oldValue`), `BaseSuit.AccessLevel` (its existing virtual `OnAccessLevelChanged` already had the exact callback shape), and `DyeTub.DyedHue` (a true veto: `AllowDyedHueChange(ref int value) => _redyable`).
## Verification
- Build: **0 errors, 0 warnings**.
- **Schema regeneration produces zero Migrations changes** — the conversion is wire- and schema-neutral by construction (same orders, types, and property names), and CI's schema diff check enforces it.
- **835 + 708 tests green.**
## Behavioral notes (all strict improvements, called out for review)
- Generated setters skip everything when the incoming value equals the current one; a few converted setters previously re-ran side effects on equal assignment (redundant `Update()`-style refreshes).
- Generated setters always `MarkDirty()` on change; several converted setters never did (e.g. `DyeTub.DyedHue`, `MorphItem` ranges) — their changes only persisted if something else dirtied the entity. Those latent persistence bugs are fixed by construction.
> [!Important]
> **Developer Note**
> This code change will **completely move gumps out of the core**
### Summary
- Adds `GetGumps()` convenience which exposes methods to Find/Close/Send multiple gumps. This helper is a performance improvement by eliminating the Dictionary<Player, List> lookup for gumps.
## Summary
- Removes allocation of a `List<ContextMenuEntry>` every time a context menu is created.
- Moves packet/context menu creation logic out of the core
- Fixes tame entry
## BREAKING CHANGE
> [!Important]
> **Developer Note**
> ```cs
> public virtual void GetContextMenuEntries(Mobile from, List<ContextMenuEntry> list)
> ```
> and similar functions changed to
> ```cs
> public virtual void GetContextMenuEntries(Mobile from, ref PooledRefList<ContextMenuEntry> list)
> ```
### Summary
Eliminates `IPooledEnumerable<T>` and `eable.Free()` from `Map` for mobiles. This drastically simplifies code that iterates in range, for example:
```cs
foreach (var m in m.GetMobilesInRange(5))
{
}
```
The code above no longer requires an eable and calling `Free()`.
- [X] Fixed several locations where an NPC that was damaged would cause a server crash.
- [X] Removed an unnecessary allocation in guard fake calls (NPCs calling guards on you)
- [X] Fixes damage precision loss in Poison Strike Spell
- [X] BogThing no longer attempts to "search" for boglings to eat when it is at full health
## Breaking Changes (New API)
ObjectPropertyList supports the following API:
```cs
list.Add(500000);
list.Add(500001, stringArgument);
list.Add("Some text");
list.Add($"Some text with {argument}");
list.Add(500002, $"{arg1}\t{arg2}");
```
## Notes
1. All API uses that require a formatter like this:
```cs
list.Add(500002, "{0}\t{1}", arg1, arg2);
```
Should be changed to use string interpolation, for example:
```cs
list.Add(500002, $"{arg1}\t{arg2}");
```
2. The following paradigm should no longer be used:
```cs
list.Add(1061170, prop.ToString()); // strength requirement ~1_val~
```
The new string interpolation API will avoid having to convert the argument to a string before writing it to the packet. Instead use the following:
```cs
list.Add(1061170, $"{prop}"); // strength requirement ~1_val~
```
### Benchmarks
```cs
| Method | Mean | Error | StdDev | Gen 0 | Allocated |
|------------------------------- |---------:|--------:|--------:|-------:|----------:|
| BenchmarkOldOPL | 241.0 ns | 0.56 ns | 0.47 ns | 0.0105 | 88 B |
| BenchmarkStringInterpolatedOPL | 199.9 ns | 2.44 ns | 2.39 ns | - | - |
```
### Changes
- [X] Removes crash in STArray.Return when array is null.
- [X] Fixes NPE in OPL when entity is null. Serial in packet will be 0 when entity is null.
- [X] Fixes NPE in AosAttributes when Parent is null.
- [X] Changes OPL to use string interpolation.
- [X] Introduces `IPropertyList` to allow extending PropertyList for other uses.
### Changes/Fixes:
* Adds timer pooling.
* Allows pool to be configurable in ModernUO.json
* Pool replenishes itself asynchronously if depleted.
* Fixes an issue with barkeeps and town criers
* Fixes an issue with incognito buff icons not being removed
* Fixes an issue with polymorph name mod not being removed
* Fixes several places where timers go on forever even after an object is deleted, keeping a reference (memory leak)
* Eliminates the timer for MiningCart altogether.
* Deletes `AcidSlime` since it is a duplicate of `PoolOfAcid`
* Fixes HonorableExecution and standardizes the code for other Bushido moves.
## Changes to the Timer API:
```cs
public class Timer
{
// Creates a timer that will be returned to the pool once execution stops.
public static void StartTimer(Action callback);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan delay, Action callback);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan delay, TimeSpan interval, Action callback);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan interval, int count, Action callback);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan delay, TimeSpan interval, int count, Action callback);
// Creates a timer and returns a token for more control. Requires manual cancellation in order for the timer to be returned to the pool.
// If the token is dereferenced, the timer will be dereferenced too. While not returning a timer to the pool is not considered hazardous, it does defeat the purpose of pooled timers.
public static void StartTimer(Action callback, out TimerExecutionToken token);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan delay, Action callback, out TimerExecutionToken token);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan delay, TimeSpan interval, Action callback, out TimerExecutionToken token);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan interval, int count, Action callback, out TimerExecutionToken token);
public static void StartTimer(TimeSpan delay, TimeSpan interval, int count, Action callback, out TimerExecutionToken token);
// If you aren't sure how to use the API above, or you don't care about performance, then you can use the old RunUO Timer.DelayCall
public static DelayCallTimer DelayCall(Action callback);
public static DelayCallTimer DelayCall(TimeSpan delay, Action callback);
public static DelayCallTimer DelayCall(TimeSpan delay, TimeSpan interval, Action callback);
public static DelayCallTimer DelayCall(TimeSpan interval, int count, Action callback);
public static DelayCallTimer DelayCall(TimeSpan delay, TimeSpan interval, int count, Action callback);
}
public struct TimerExecutionToken
{
public bool Running { get; }
public int Index { get; }
public int RemainingCount { get; }
public DateTime Next { get; }
}
```
## When to use `TimerExecutionToken`?
Use tokens when you want to gain the performance benefit of using a pooled timer, but you need one of the following:
* Access to the next time the timer will tick:`token.Next`
* Access to which interval, how many intervals there are, or how many are remaining: `token.Index`, `token.Count`, and `token.RemainingCount`
* Stop a timer manually.
* Determine if the timer is running: `timer.Running`
* See notes below about requirements for using tokens!
## Notes about using the TimerExecutionToken:
When you opt-in to receive a token, you must call `Cancel()` to return the timer. This can be done inside of the callback, or outside of the callback at any time.
If this is not called and your timer is an infinite interval, then you will create a potential memory leak, or null pointer exception in your callback.
If the timer ends and is stopped, but cancel is not called, then the timer will never return to the pool and stay referenced until the token is deleted or cancel is called. (Memory leak)
## Is this thread safe?
No. The ModernUO timer system is not thread safe at all. If you require a thread safe timer system, contact me and I'll help adapt this system. Keep in mind that there is a massive performance hit to make this thread safe when there are literally no use cases for it.
If you need to synchronize execution, meaning you want to execute code from another thread on the core thread. Let's say you have a discord bot that is pushing commands to the game server. Then use `EventLoopContext.Post(SendOrPostCallback callback, object state);`.
- [X] Caches DateTime.NowUtc on the game loop (not other threads)
- [X] Replaces all locations where it makes sense
- [X] Adds Min/Max for `IComparable` (TimeSpan, DateTimes, etc)
Closes#261
- [X] Fixes an issue where a buffer smaller than 8 bytes would not double with enough space in some cases.
- [X] Fixes an issue with dupe copying the savebuffer reference (ugh).
- [X] Streamlines the IGenericWriter API to use better generics.
- [X] Streamlines the IGenericReader API to use better generics.
- [X] Forces `tidying` of a List/HashSet to be done externally since Writers/Readers should not have side effects.
- [X] Fixes an issue where Tidying a list didn't TrimExcess, causing memory leaks.
- [X] Reverted the meaning of `World.Running` to specifically refer to any world state post world loading.
- NOTE: Do not use this if you want to block on world saves. Instead use checks against `WorldState.Saving` states.
- [X] Fixes an issue with serializing negative DateTime deltas.
- [X] Fixes a potential issue with serializing non-UTC DateTime.
Bumps release version
- [X] Removes some string allocations (e.g. split)
- [X] Optimizes some collections
- [X] Converts insensitive to extension methods of built-ins.
- [X] Adds ordinal (case sensitive) string helpers
- [X] Fixes conditionals for in-game commands so they use Ordinal comparisons.
- [X] Replaces ToLower.Contains with InsensitiveContains
- [X] Adds ValueStringBuilder
- [X] Implements ValueStringBuilder in a few places where it makes sense
- [X] Removes the redundant Wrap function and replaces it with an optimized version
- [X] Fixes list conversions in Utility
Closes#351
Bumps release version
