Changed how the Typeclass system returns errors. Instead of echoing typeclass erros to the MUD-info channel (which is not only not only very spammy for everyone but also very hard to make clean so as to avoid recursion at a stage of typeclass failing), the system instead stores a property on itself called 'typeclass_last_errmsg' that holds eventual errors. This means that the task of reporting errors does not fall on the typeclass system itself but on the calling methods, as it should be. So src.utils.create.create_* functions now takes a new optional keyword "report_to" that holds an object to receive errors. If this keyword is given, the function msg():es that object with the error and returns None as before. If report_to is not set however, the create_* methods now return an Exception containing the error text. All default commands have been changed to accomodate for this behaviour, which allows for much more control over errors.

Also, the default ADMIN_MEDIA static files changed location in Django 1.4. The initial_setup function now accounts for this.

src/commands/default/building.py

@@ -399,9 +399,8 @@ class CmdCreate(ObjManipCommand):
             # object typeclass will automatically be used)
             lockstring = "control:id(%s);examine:perm(Builders);delete:id(%s) or perm(Wizards);get:all()" % (caller.id, caller.id)
             obj = create.create_object(typeclass, name, caller,
-                                       home=caller, aliases=aliases, locks=lockstring)
+                                       home=caller, aliases=aliases, locks=lockstring, report_to=caller)
             if not obj:
-                string = "Error when creating object."
                 continue
             if aliases:
                 string = "You create a new %s: %s (aliases: %s)."
@@ -416,8 +415,8 @@ class CmdCreate(ObjManipCommand):
                 if caller.location:
                     obj.home = caller.location
                     obj.move_to(caller.location, quiet=True)
-            if string:
+        if string:
-                caller.msg(string)
+           caller.msg(string)
 
 
 class CmdDebug(MuxCommand):
@@ -630,7 +629,7 @@ class CmdDig(ObjManipCommand):
         lockstring = lockstring % (caller.dbref, caller.dbref, caller.dbref)
 
         new_room = create.create_object(typeclass, room["name"],
-                                        aliases=room["aliases"])
+                                        aliases=room["aliases"], report_to=caller)
         new_room.locks.add(lockstring)
         alias_string = ""
         if new_room.aliases:
@@ -659,7 +658,7 @@ class CmdDig(ObjManipCommand):
 
                 new_to_exit = create.create_object(typeclass, to_exit["name"], location,
                                                    aliases=to_exit["aliases"],
-                                                   locks=lockstring, destination=new_room)
+                                                   locks=lockstring, destination=new_room, report_to=caller)
                 alias_string = ""
                 if new_to_exit.aliases:
                     alias_string = " (%s)" % ", ".join(new_to_exit.aliases)
@@ -684,7 +683,7 @@ class CmdDig(ObjManipCommand):
                     typeclass = settings.BASE_EXIT_TYPECLASS
                 new_back_exit = create.create_object(typeclass, back_exit["name"],
                                                      new_room, aliases=back_exit["aliases"],
-                                                     locks=lockstring, destination=location)
+                                                     locks=lockstring, destination=location, report_to=caller)
                 alias_string = ""
                 if new_back_exit.aliases:
                     alias_string = " (%s)" % ", ".join(new_back_exit.aliases)
@@ -1083,7 +1082,7 @@ class CmdOpen(ObjManipCommand):
                 typeclass = settings.BASE_EXIT_TYPECLASS
             exit_obj = create.create_object(typeclass, key=exit_name,
                                             location=location,
-                                            aliases=exit_aliases)
+                                            aliases=exit_aliases, report_to=caller)
             if exit_obj:
                 # storing a destination is what makes it an exit!
                 exit_obj.destination = destination
@@ -1283,9 +1282,9 @@ class CmdTypeclass(MuxCommand):
     @typeclass - set object typeclass
 
     Usage:
-      @typclass[/switch] <object> [= <typeclass path>]
+      @typclass[/switch] <object> [= <typeclass.path>]
-      @type           ''
+      @type                     ''
-      @parent         ''
+      @parent                   ''
 
     Switch:
       reset - clean out *all* the attributes on the object -
@@ -1295,12 +1294,18 @@ class CmdTypeclass(MuxCommand):
     Example:
       @type button = examples.red_button.RedButton
 
-    Sets an object's typeclass. The typeclass must be identified
+    View or set an object's typeclass. If setting, the creation hooks
-    by its location using python dot-notation pointing to the correct
+    of the new typeclass will be run on the object. If you have
-    module and class. If no typeclass is given (or a wrong typeclass
+    clashing properties on the old class, use /reset. By default you
-    is given), the object will be set to the default typeclass.
+    are protected from changing to a typeclass of the same name as the
-    The location of the typeclass module is searched from
+    one you already have, use /force to override this protection.
-    the default typeclass directory, as defined in the server settings.
+
+    The given typeclass must be identified by its location using
+    python dot-notation pointing to the correct module and class. If
+    no typeclass is given (or a wrong typeclass is given). Errors in
+    the path or new typeclass will lead to the old typeclass being
+    kept. The location of the typeclass module is searched from the
+    default typeclass directory, as defined in the server settings.
 
     """
 
@@ -1327,7 +1332,7 @@ class CmdTypeclass(MuxCommand):
             # we did not supply a new typeclass, view the
             # current one instead.
             if hasattr(obj, "typeclass"):
-                string = "%s's current typeclass is '%s'." % (obj.name, obj.typeclass.typename)
+                string = "%s's current typeclass is '%s' (%s)." % (obj.name, obj.typeclass.typename, obj.typeclass.path)
             else:
                 string = "%s is not a typed object." % obj.name
             caller.msg(string)
@@ -1344,25 +1349,31 @@ class CmdTypeclass(MuxCommand):
             caller.msg("This object cannot have a type at all!")
             return
 
-        if obj.is_typeclass(typeclass) and not 'force' in self.switches:
+        is_same = obj.is_typeclass(typeclass)
-            string = "%s already has the typeclass '%s'." % (obj.name, typeclass)
+        if is_same and not 'force' in self.switches:
+            string = "%s already has the typeclass '%s'. Use /force to override." % (obj.name, typeclass)
         else:
             reset = "reset" in self.switches
-            old_typeclass_name = obj.typeclass.typename
+            old_typeclass_path = obj.typeclass.path
             ok = obj.swap_typeclass(typeclass, clean_attributes=reset)
             if ok:
-                string = "%s's type is now %s (instead of %s).\n" % (obj.name,
+                if is_same:
-                                                                     obj.typeclass.typename,
+                    string = "%s updated its existing typeclass (%s).\n" % (obj.name, obj.typeclass.path)
-                                                                     old_typeclass_name)
-                if reset:
-                    string += "All attributes where reset."
                 else:
-                    string += "Note that the new class type could have overwritten "
+                    string = "%s's changed typeclass from %s to %s.\n" % (obj.name,
-                    string += "same-named attributes on the existing object."
+                                                                         old_typeclass_path,
+                                                                         obj.typeclass.path)
+                string += "Creation hooks were run."
+                if reset:
+                    string += " All old attributes where deleted before the swap."
+                else:
+                    string += " Note that the typeclassed object could have ended up with a mixture of old"
+                    string += "\nand new attributes. Use /reset to remove old attributes if you don't want this."
             else:
-                string = "Could not swap '%s' (%s) to typeclass '%s'." % (obj.name,
+                string = obj.typeclass_last_errmsg
-                                                                                  old_typeclass_name,
+                string += "\nCould not swap '%s' (%s) to typeclass '%s'." % (obj.name,
-                                                                                  typeclass)
+                                                                          old_typeclass_path,
+                                                                          typeclass)
 
         caller.msg(string)
 

src/commands/default/general.py

@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ class CmdAccess(MuxCommand):
         caller = self.caller
         hierarchy_full = settings.PERMISSION_HIERARCHY
         string = "\n{wPermission Hierarchy{n (climbing):\n %s" % ", ".join(hierarchy_full)
-        hierarchy = [p.lower() for p in hierarchy_full]
+        #hierarchy = [p.lower() for p in hierarchy_full]
 
         if self.caller.player.is_superuser:
             cperms = "<Superuser>"

src/commands/default/system.py

@@ -8,14 +8,12 @@ import traceback
 import os, datetime, time
 import django, twisted
 
-from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.conf import settings
 from src.server.sessionhandler import SESSIONS
 from src.scripts.models import ScriptDB
 from src.objects.models import ObjectDB
 from src.players.models import PlayerDB
-from src.server.models import ServerConfig
+from src.utils import logger, utils, gametime
-from src.utils import create, logger, utils, gametime
 from src.commands.default.muxcommand import MuxCommand
 
 # limit symbol import for API

src/commands/default/unloggedin.py

@@ -182,13 +182,14 @@ its and @/./+/-/_ only.") # this echoes the restrictions made by django's auth m
             typeclass = settings.BASE_CHARACTER_TYPECLASS
             permissions = settings.PERMISSION_PLAYER_DEFAULT
 
-            new_character = create.create_player(playername, email, password,
+            try:
-                                                 permissions=permissions,
+                new_character = create.create_player(playername, email, password,
-                                                 character_typeclass=typeclass,
+                                                     permissions=permissions,
-                                                 character_location=default_home,
+                                                     character_typeclass=typeclass,
-                                                 character_home=default_home)
+                                                     character_location=default_home,
-            if not new_character:
+                                                     character_home=default_home)
-                session.msg("There was an error creating the default Character/Player. This error was logged. Contact an admin.")
+            except Exception, e:
+                session.msg("There was an error creating the default Character/Player:\n%s\n If this problem persists, contact an admin.")
                 return
             new_player = new_character.player
 

src/objects/objects.py

@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class Object(TypeClass):
 
 
         """
-        self.dbobj.swap_typeclass(new_typeclass, clean_attributes=clean_attributes, no_default=no_default)
+        return self.dbobj.swap_typeclass(new_typeclass, clean_attributes=clean_attributes, no_default=no_default)
 
     def access(self, accessing_obj, access_type='read', default=False):
         """

src/server/initial_setup.py

@@ -58,9 +58,6 @@ def create_objects():
                                          create_character=True,
                                          character_typeclass=character_typeclass)
 
-    if not god_character:
-        raise Exception(_("#1 could not be created. Check the Player/Character typeclass for bugs."))
-
     god_character.id = 1
     god_character.db.desc = _('This is User #1.')
     god_character.locks.add("examine:perm(Immortals);edit:false();delete:false();boot:false();msg:all();puppet:false()")
@@ -164,7 +161,11 @@ def create_admin_media_links():
     on system.
     """
     import django, os
-    dpath = os.path.join(django.__path__[0], 'contrib', 'admin', 'media')
+
+    if django.get_version() < 1.4:
+        dpath = os.path.join(django.__path__[0], 'contrib', 'admin', 'media')
+    else:
+        dpath = os.path.join(django.__path__[0], 'contrib', 'admin', 'static', 'admin')
     apath = os.path.join(settings.ADMIN_MEDIA_ROOT)
     if os.path.isdir(apath):
         print _(" ADMIN_MEDIA_ROOT already exists. Ignored.")
@@ -177,8 +178,8 @@ def create_admin_media_links():
         try:
             os.symlink(dpath, apath)
             print _(" Admin-media symlinked to ADMIN_MEDIA_ROOT.")
-        except OSError:
+        except OSError, e:
-            print _(" There was an error symlinking Admin-media to ADMIN_MEDIA_ROOT. If you see issues, link manually.")
+            print _(" There was an error symlinking Admin-media to ADMIN_MEDIA_ROOT:\n  %s\n   -> \n  %s\n  (%s)\n  If you see issues, link manually." % (dpath, apath, e))
     else:
         print _(" Admin-media files should be copied manually to ADMIN_MEDIA_ROOT.")
 
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ def at_initial_setup():
         return
     try:
         mod = __import__(modname, fromlist=[None])
-    except ImportError, ValueError:
+    except (ImportError, ValueError):
         return
     print _(" Running at_initial_setup() hook.")
     if mod.__dict__.get("at_initial_setup", None):

src/server/msdp.py

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ etc.
 """
 import re
 from src.utils.utils import make_iter
+from src.utils import logger
 
 # variables
 MSDP = chr(69)
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ MSDP_ARRAY_CLOSE = chr(6)
 
 regex_array = re.compile(r"%s(.*?)%s%s(.*?)%s" % (MSDP_VAR, MSDP_VAL, MSDP_ARRAY_OPEN, MSDP_ARRAY_CLOSE)) # return 2-tuple
 regex_table = re.compile(r"%s(.*?)%s%s(.*?)%s" % (MSDP_VAR, MSDP_VAL, MSDP_TABLE_OPEN, MSDP_TABLE_CLOSE)) # return 2-tuple (may be nested)
-regex_varval = re.compile(r"%s(.*?)%s(.*?)[%s]" % (MSDP_VAR, MSDP_VAL, ENDING)) # return 2-tuple
+regex_varval = re.compile(r"%s(.*?)%s(.*?)" % (MSDP_VAR, MSDP_VAL)) # return 2-tuple
 
 class Msdp(object):
     """
@@ -111,8 +112,8 @@ class Msdp(object):
             tables[table[0]] = dict(regex_varval(table[1]))
         for array in regex_array.findall(data):
             arrays[array[0]] = dict(regex_varval(array[1]))
-        variables = dict(regex._varval(regex_array.sub("", regex_table.sub("", data))))
+        variables = dict(regex_varval(regex_array.sub("", regex_table.sub("", data))))
-
+        print variables
 
 
     # MSDP Commands
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ class Msdp(object):
         The List command allows for retrieving various info about the server/client
         """
         if arg == 'COMMANDS':
-            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, MSDP_COMMANDS.keys())
+            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, self.MSDP_COMMANDS.keys())
         elif arg == 'LISTS':
             return self.func_to_msdp(arg, ("COMMANDS", "LISTS",
                                            "CONFIGURABLE_VARIABLES",
@@ -133,11 +134,11 @@ class Msdp(object):
         elif arg == 'CONFIGURABLE_VARIABLES':
             return self.func_to_msdp(arg, ("CLIENT_NAME", "CLIENT_VERSION", "PLUGIN_ID"))
         elif arg == 'REPORTABLE_VARIABLES':
-            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, MSDP_REPORTABLE.keys())
+            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, self.MSDP_REPORTABLE.keys())
         elif arg == 'REPORTED_VARIABLES':
-            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, MSDP_REPORTED.keys())
+            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, self.MSDP_REPORTED.keys())
         elif arg == 'SENDABLE_VARIABLES':
-            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, MSDP_SEND.keys())
+            return self.func_to_msdp(arg, self.MSDP_SEND.keys())
         else:
             return self.func_to_msdp("LIST", arg)
 
@@ -147,7 +148,7 @@ class Msdp(object):
         reportable variable to the client.
         """
         try:
-            MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](report=True)
+            self.MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](report=True)
         except Exception:
             logger.log_trace()
 
@@ -156,16 +157,16 @@ class Msdp(object):
         Unreport a previously reported variable
         """
         try:
-            MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](eport=False)
+            self.MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](eport=False)
         except Exception:
-            logger.log_trace()
+            self.logger.log_trace()
 
     def msdp_cmd_reset(self, arg):
         """
         The reset command resets a variable to its initial state.
         """
         try:
-            MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](reset=True)
+            self.MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](reset=True)
         except Exception:
             logger.log_trace()
 
@@ -177,21 +178,22 @@ class Msdp(object):
         arg - this is a list of variables the client wants.
         """
         ret = []
-        for var in makeiter(arg):
+        for var in make_iter(arg):
             try:
-                ret.append(MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](send=True))
+                ret.append(self.MSDP_REPORTABLE[arg](send=True))
             except Exception:
                 logger.log_trace()
         return ret
 
     MSDP_COMMANDS = {
-        "LIST": self.msdp_list,
+        "LIST": "msdp_list",
         "REPORT":"mspd_report",
         "RESET":"mspd_reset",
         "SEND":"mspd_send",
         "UNREPORT":"mspd_unreport"
         }
 
+
     # MSDP_MAP is a standard suggestions for making it easy to create generic guis.
     # this maps MSDP command names to Evennia commands found in OOB_FUNC_MODULE. It
     # is up to these commands to return data on proper form.

src/server/serversession.py

@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ class ServerSession(Session):
             else:
                 logger.log_errmsg("oob_data_in error: funcname '%s' not found in OOB_FUNC_MODULE." % funcname)
         if outdata:
+            # we have a result, send it back
             self.oob_data_out(outdata)
 
 

src/typeclasses/models.py

@@ -951,6 +951,7 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
         # If we reach this point we couldn't import any typeclasses. Return default. It's up to the calling
         # method to use e.g. self.is_typeclass() to detect that the result is not the one asked for.
         _GA(self, "_display_errmsg")(errstring)
+        _SA(self, "typeclass_lasterrmsg", errstring)
         return _GA(self, "_get_default_typeclass")(cache=False, silent=False, save=False)
 
     #@typeclass.deleter
@@ -961,6 +962,11 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
     # typeclass property
     typeclass = property(__typeclass_get, fdel=__typeclass_del)
 
+    # the last error string will be stored here for accessing methods to access.
+    # It is set by _display_errmsg, which will print to log if error happens
+    # during server startup.
+    typeclass_last_errmsg = ""
+
     def _path_import(self, path):
         """
         Import a class from a python path of the
@@ -973,17 +979,19 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
             return None
         try:
             modpath, class_name = path.rsplit('.', 1)
-            module =  __import__(modpath, fromlist=[class_name])
+            module =  __import__(modpath, fromlist=["none"])
             return module.__dict__[class_name]
         except ImportError:
             trc = sys.exc_traceback
             if not trc.tb_next:
                 # we separate between not finding the module, and finding a buggy one.
-                errstring += "(Tried path '%s')." % path
+                errstring = "Typeclass not found trying path '%s'." % path
             else:
                 # a bug in the module is reported normally.
                 trc = traceback.format_exc()
-                errstring += "\n%sError importing '%s'." % (trc, path)
+                errstring = "\n%sError importing '%s'." % (trc, path)
+        except (ValueError, TypeError):
+            errstring = "Malformed typeclass path '%s'." % path
         except KeyError:
             errstring = "No class '%s' was found in module '%s'."
             errstring = errstring % (class_name, modpath)
@@ -997,26 +1005,32 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
         """
         Helper function to display error.
         """
-        infochan = None
+        if ServerConfig.objects.conf("server_starting_mode"):
-        cmessage = message
+            print message.strip()
-        try:
+        else:
-            from src.comms.models import Channel
+            _SA(self, "typeclass_last_errmsg", message.strip())
-            infochan = settings.CHANNEL_MUDINFO
+        return
-            infochan = Channel.objects.get_channel(infochan[0])
+
-            if infochan:
+        #infochan = None
-                cname = infochan.key
+        #cmessage = message
-                cmessage = "\n".join(["[%s]: %s" % (cname, line) for line in message.split('\n') if line])
+        #try:
-                cmessage = cmessage.strip()
+        #    from src.comms.models import Channel
-                infochan.msg(cmessage)
+        #    infochan = settings.CHANNEL_MUDINFO
-            else:
+        #    infochan = Channel.objects.get_channel(infochan[0])
-                # no mudinfo channel is found. Log instead.
+        #    if infochan:
-                cmessage = "\n".join(["[NO MUDINFO CHANNEL]: %s" % line for line in message.split('\n')])
+        #        cname = infochan.key
-            logger.log_errmsg(cmessage)
+        #        cmessage = "\n".join(["[%s]: %s" % (cname, line) for line in message.split('\n') if line])
-        except Exception:
+        #        cmessage = cmessage.strip()
-            if ServerConfig.objects.conf("server_starting_mode"):
+        #        infochan.msg(cmessage)
-                print cmessage
+        #    else:
-            else:
+        #        # no mudinfo channel is found. Log instead.
-                logger.log_trace(cmessage)
+        #        cmessage = "\n".join(["[NO MUDINFO CHANNEL]: %s" % line for line in message.split('\n')])
+        #    logger.log_errmsg(cmessage)
+        #except Exception:
+        #    if ServerConfig.objects.conf("server_starting_mode"):
+        #        print cmessage
+        #    else:
+        #        logger.log_trace(cmessage)
 
     def _get_default_typeclass(self, cache=False, silent=False, save=False):
         """
@@ -1064,7 +1078,9 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
         """
         Returns true if this object has this type
           OR has a typeclass which is an subclass of
-          the given typeclass.
+          the given typeclass. This operates on the actually
+          loaded typeclass (this is important since a failing
+          typeclass may instead have its default currently loaded)
 
         typeclass - can be a class object or the
                 python path to such an object to match against.
@@ -1079,7 +1095,7 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
             pass
         typeclasses = [typeclass] + ["%s.%s" % (path, typeclass) for path in _GA(self, "_typeclass_paths")]
         if exact:
-            current_path = _GA(self, "_cached_db_typeclass_path")
+            current_path = _GA(self.typeclass, "path") #"_GA(self, "_cached_db_typeclass_path")
             return typeclass and any((current_path == typec for typec in typeclasses))
         else:
             # check parent chain
@@ -1158,10 +1174,9 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
                         self.nattr(nattr, delete=True)
             else:
                 #print "deleting attrs ..."
-                self.get_all_attributes()
                 for attr in self.get_all_attributes():
                     attr.delete()
-                for nattr in self.ndb.all():
+                for nattr in self.ndb.all:
                     del nattr
 
         # run hooks for this new typeclass
@@ -1328,8 +1343,9 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
                     _GA(self, 'obj').set_attribute(attrname, value)
                 def __delattr__(self, attrname):
                     _GA(self, 'obj').del_attribute(attrname)
-                def all(self):
+                def get_all(self):
                     return _GA(self, 'obj').get_all_attributes()
+                all = property(get_all)
             self._db_holder = DbHolder(self)
             return self._db_holder
     #@db.setter
@@ -1386,9 +1402,10 @@ class TypedObject(SharedMemoryModel):
         except AttributeError:
             class NdbHolder(object):
                 "Holder for storing non-persistent attributes."
-                def all(self):
+                def get_all(self):
                     return [val for val in self.__dict__.keys()
-                            if not val.startswith['_']]
+                            if not val.startswith('_')]
+                all = property(get_all)
                 def __getattribute__(self, key):
                     # return None if no matching attribute was found.
                     try:

src/utils/create.py

@@ -26,8 +26,7 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.db import IntegrityError
 from src.utils.idmapper.models import SharedMemoryModel
-from src.utils import logger, utils, idmapper
+from src.utils import utils, logger
-from src.utils.utils import is_iter, has_parent, inherits_from
 
 # limit symbol import from API
 __all__ = ("create_object", "create_script", "create_help_entry", "create_message", "create_channel", "create_player")
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ GA = object.__getattribute__
 
 def create_object(typeclass, key=None, location=None,
                   home=None, player=None, permissions=None, locks=None,
-                  aliases=None, destination=None):
+                  aliases=None, destination=None, report_to=None):
     """
     Create a new in-game object. Any game object is a combination
     of a database object that stores data persistently to
@@ -52,6 +51,11 @@ def create_object(typeclass, key=None, location=None,
     See src.objects.managers for methods to manipulate existing objects
     in the database. src.objects.objects holds the base typeclasses
     and src.objects.models hold the database model.
+
+    report_to is an optional object for reporting errors to in string form.
+              If report_to is not set, errors will be raised as en Exception
+              containing the error message. If set, this method will return
+              None upon errors.
     """
     # deferred import to avoid loops
     from src.objects.objects import Object
@@ -83,11 +87,15 @@ def create_object(typeclass, key=None, location=None,
     # this will either load the typeclass or the default one
     new_object = new_db_object.typeclass
 
-
+    if not GA(new_object, "is_typeclass")(typeclass, exact=True):
-    if not GA(new_db_object, "is_typeclass")(typeclass, exact=True):
         # this will fail if we gave a typeclass as input and it still gave us a default
         SharedMemoryModel.delete(new_db_object)
-        return None 
+        if report_to:
+            GA(report_to, "msg")("Error creating %s (%s):\n%s" % (new_db_object.key, typeclass,
+                                                                 GA(new_db_object, "typeclass_last_errmsg")))
+            return None
+        else:
+            raise Exception(GA(new_db_object, "typeclass_last_errmsg"))
 
     # from now on we can use the typeclass object
     # as if it was the database object.
@@ -141,7 +149,7 @@ object = create_object
 
 def create_script(typeclass, key=None, obj=None, locks=None,
                   interval=None, start_delay=None, repeats=None,
-                  persistent=None, autostart=True):
+                  persistent=None, autostart=True, report_to=None):
     """
     Create a new script. All scripts are a combination
     of a database object that communicates with the
@@ -160,6 +168,11 @@ def create_script(typeclass, key=None, obj=None, locks=None,
 
     See src.scripts.manager for methods to manipulate existing
     scripts in the database.
+
+    report_to is an obtional object to receive error messages.
+              If report_to is not set, an Exception with the
+              error will be raised. If set, this method will
+              return None upon errors.
     """
 
     # deferred import to avoid loops.
@@ -171,7 +184,7 @@ def create_script(typeclass, key=None, obj=None, locks=None,
         typeclass = settings.BASE_SCRIPT_TYPECLASS
     elif isinstance(typeclass, ScriptDB):
         # this is already an scriptdb instance, extract its typeclass
-        typeclass = new_db_object.typeclass.path
+        typeclass = typeclass.typeclass.path
     elif isinstance(typeclass, Script) or utils.inherits_from(typeclass, Script):
         # this is already an object typeclass, extract its path
         typeclass = typeclass.path
@@ -195,9 +208,13 @@ def create_script(typeclass, key=None, obj=None, locks=None,
 
     if not GA(new_db_script, "is_typeclass")(typeclass, exact=True):
         # this will fail if we gave a typeclass as input and it still gave us a default
-        print "failure:", new_db_script, typeclass
         SharedMemoryModel.delete(new_db_script)
-        return None 
+        if report_to:
+            GA(report_to, "msg")("Error creating %s (%s): %s" % (new_db_script.key, typeclass,
+                                                                 GA(new_db_script, "typeclass_last_errmsg")))
+            return None
+        else:
+            raise Exception(GA(new_db_script, "typeclass_last_errmsg"))
 
     if obj:
         try:
@@ -315,14 +332,14 @@ def create_message(senderobj, message, channels=None,
     new_message.message = message
     new_message.save()
     if channels:
-        if not is_iter(channels):
+        if not utils.is_iter(channels):
             channels = [channels]
         new_message.channels = [channel for channel in
                                 [to_object(channel, objtype='channel')
                                  for channel in channels] if channel]
     if receivers:
         #print "Found receiver:", receivers
-        if not is_iter(receivers):
+        if not utils.is_iter(receivers):
             receivers = [receivers]
         #print "to_player: %s" % to_player(receivers[0])
         new_message.receivers = [to_player(receiver) for receiver in
@@ -356,7 +373,7 @@ def create_channel(key, aliases=None, desc=None,
         new_channel = Channel()
         new_channel.key = key
         if aliases:
-            if not is_iter(aliases):
+            if not utils.is_iter(aliases):
                 aliases = [aliases]
             new_channel.aliases = ",".join([alias for alias in aliases])
         new_channel.desc = desc
@@ -384,7 +401,7 @@ def create_player(name, email, password,
                   locks=None, permissions=None,
                   create_character=True, character_typeclass=None,
                   character_location=None, character_home=None,
-                  player_dbobj=None):                   
+                  player_dbobj=None, report_to=None):
 
 
     """
@@ -468,7 +485,12 @@ def create_player(name, email, password,
         if not GA(new_db_player, "is_typeclass")(typeclass, exact=True):
             # this will fail if we gave a typeclass as input and it still gave us a default
             SharedMemoryModel.delete(new_db_player)
-            return None 
+            if report_to:
+                GA(report_to, "msg")("Error creating %s (%s):\n%s" % (new_db_player.key, typeclass,
+                                                                      GA(new_db_player, "typeclass_last_errmsg")))
+                return None
+            else:
+                raise Exception(GA(new_db_player, "typeclass_last_errmsg"))
 
         new_player.basetype_setup() # setup the basic locks and cmdset
         # call hook method (may override default permissions)
@@ -492,10 +514,10 @@ def create_player(name, email, password,
             new_character = create_object(character_typeclass, key=name,
                                           location=None, home=character_location,
                                           permissions=permissions,
-                                          player=new_player)        
+                                          player=new_player, report_to=report_to)
             return new_character
         return new_player
-    except Exception,e:
+    except Exception:
         # a failure in creating the character
         if not user:
             # in there was a failure we clean up everything we can