• Changelog / Patch Notes - AnimalHunger Plugin

This update introduces significant improvements, refactors core systems, and adds long-awaited features for enhanced performance and customization.



New Features:

• SQLite Database Integration: Replaced the old YAML-based data storage with a robust SQLite database system. This dramatically improves performance for large servers, reduces load times, and provides a more reliable way to store animal data.
• HEX Color Code Support: Added full support for HEX color codes (#RRGGBB) throughout the plugin. This includes animal name colors (via the color selection GUI), entity display formats (entity_display.format), progress bars (entity_display.bar), and messages in messages.yml. You can now use precise colors for a more polished look.
• Enhanced Entity Display: The custom name display above animals (entity_display) now supports detailed formatting, including the use of HEX colors and dynamic placeholders for name, level, bond, and hunger bar.
• Improved Configuration Caching: Major refactoring of configuration loading. Values are now cached in memory upon startup, significantly reducing disk I/O during runtime and improving performance.
• Advanced GUI System: Introduced a more flexible and configurable GUI system. Layouts, item positions, and properties can be extensively customized via the config.yml.
• Second Page GUI: Added a new second page to the animal management GUI, accessible via a dedicated button, offering more options and information without cluttering the main interface.
• Resource Production System: Implemented a dedicated resource production system, allowing animals to generate resources over time based on their bond level.
• Breeding Mechanics Overhaul: Enhanced breeding logic with cooldowns, level requirements, and inheritance of stats from parents.

Improvements:

• Performance Refactor: Optimized the main processing tasks (processAnimalTick, processBondDecay, etc.) to iterate only through loaded, valid animals, drastically reducing server lag.
• Enhanced GUI Handling: Improved GUI click handling, inventory management, and item creation logic for better stability and performance.
• Color Selection GUI Enhancements: The color selection GUI now correctly saves HEX color codes directly into the animal's name, ensuring accurate color display.
• Configuration Flexibility: Moved many hardcoded values into config.yml, allowing server administrators greater control over plugin behavior.
• Code Structure: Improved code organization and modularity, making the plugin easier to maintain and extend.
• Debugging & Logging: Added more detailed debug messages and improved error handling for easier troubleshooting.
• Auto-Save Optimization: The auto-save task now correctly uses the new database system for saving data.
• Data Migration Tool: Added a tool to migrate existing data from the old data.yml file to the new SQLite database upon the first run of this version.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed GUI Loading Issues: Resolved critical bugs where GUI items failed to load correctly on the first plugin startup due to improper configuration initialization order.
• Fixed Entity Display Color: Corrected the method for applying colors (including HEX) to the entity display name above animals
• Fixed Breeding Glitches: Addressed issues related to animal breeding, ensuring it works correctly based on level requirements.
• Fixed Placeholder Issues: Improved the processEnhancedPlaceholders method to handle various placeholder types more reliably.
• Fixed Milking Compatibility: Corrected the override logic for vanilla milking when the plugin's milking system is disabled.
• Fixed Update Checker: Improved the update checker to correctly fetch and display version information.
• Fixed Messages: Ensured all messages (including those in GUIs and chat) now correctly process HEX color codes from messages.yml.
• Fixed Bond Decay: Corrected the timing and application of bond decay mechanics.
• Fixed Animal Death Handling: Improved the handling of animal deaths, ensuring data is correctly removed and notifications are sent.

⚠️ Breaking Changes / Notes:

• Configuration Update: config.yml has been significantly expanded. New sections for database, GUI layouts, second page, and resource production have been added. The plugin will automatically generate these new sections on first run.
• Data Migration: Existing animal data from data.yml will be automatically migrated to the new SQLite database (animalhunger.db) on the first start with this version. A backup of the old data.yml is recommended before updating.
• PlaceholderAPI Compatibility: Placeholder expansion logic has been updated to work with the new data storage system.