Mod conflict and load order?

[nikel23]

I usually heard that some mods will conflict if used simultaneously, and to prevent it from conflicting, mod A must be loaded first than mod B. Luckily, until now, I never had a conflicting mod. But I'm planning to install a mod that will conflict unless this one is loaded after a mod.

The thing is, I don't really understand how to make a mod be loaded first. And what if I separate these 2 mods in different subfolders?

[Alijah]

Your downloads folder loads alphabetically. So if you need a mod to load last, just rename the file and tack a Z at the start of the name.

The same goes for folders, so if you are going to put them in subfolders, make sure that the mod that needs to load last is in a folder that is 'behind' the first, if that makes sense?

Edit: it should be noted that Folders load before the single files. So if your DL folder looks like this:

FolderA
FolderB
FileC

Then file C will be the last to load, even if there are file names starting with z in FolderB. To make sure that your file loads last, you can load it like this:

FolderA
FolderB
zz_lastmod

OR

FolderA
FolderB <- put the mod in here.

And I feel like the more I tried to elaborate, the more confusing it comes out. Hopefully someone more eloquent than I can come along and help x.x

[Orilon]

The way its been explained to me is "folders are read in alphabetical order. And within each folder, all the files are ALSO read in alphabetical order."

For example I have a TwoJeffs folder for all of TwoJeff's mods and a ZzBo folder for all of BoilingOil's mods. Because of the Zz part the ZzBo folder loads after the TwoJeffs folder.

Parts of TwoJeff's No Baby/Toddler Swarming conflicts with BoilingOil's Less Toddler Annoyance mod, but I haven't run into problems because of the load order.

[nikel23]

Thanks for the info! :D

[maxon]

Be warned though, loading order doesn't always solve hack conflicts.

Seemed clear enough to me Alijah.

[Mootilda]

I find that the best way to determine load order is to run the HCDU (hack conflict detection utility) at http://www.simwardrobe.com/. It lists any conflicting mods in load order.

[nikel23]

Since BoilingOil's Phone Make-Over mod has notified to let it load after Pescado's phonehack, I think it's safe enough to do as commanded without HCDU. After all, this is (allegedly) my first mod to have a conflict.

Anyway, what will happen if two or more mods conflict?

[Mootilda]

It completely depends upon the mods involved. Most mods override multiple BHAVs, BCONs, etc. The code is written to work for all BHAVs within a mod, but modders rarely try to make each individual BHAV work without the rest of their changes. When you have two conflicting mods, those mods usually only have a few BHAVs in common. So, you're using code which is basically random and untested; it may work; it may not.

If a modder creates a mod which overrides a BHAV used by another popular mod, they will usually test how their mod works when it overrides the existing mod. A good modder will tell you that a conflict exists, whether you can use the two mods in common, and which load order you should use. If a modder doesn't give you that information, then you are basically on your own.

[Simonut]

@>> Nikel23 Here is something you should read that will help you understand a bit more. Here is a very well known modder name "Twojeffs" he explain very clearly on his thread about how to download Mods so they may work correctly.
Go to this Link and scroll down to where he has Notes about this subject look for "Compatibility Notes" It is on his Visitor Controller mod thread, this will help you just read his notes. This help me to understand when I did not know myself.

It is found at the Site Simbology ( TwoJeffs ) http://www.simbology.com/smf/index.php?topic=17.0

[nikel23]

For some reasons I never attempted to use mods that have conflict warning, but I guess this one is exceptional. I never really interested in TJ's Visitor Controller, so I never read that compatibility notes. If I did, I might not have needed to start this thread, but thank you very much! :)

Also, I think I kinda get a clue. A custom mod will override the game's functions, and a mod that loads after will override the previous mod, and so on. I guess that's kinda conclude it.

[Simonut]

For some reasons I never attempted to use mods that have conflict warning, but I guess this one is exceptional. I never really interested in TJ's Visitor Controller, so I never read that compatibility notes. If I did, I might not have needed to start this thread, but thank you very much! :)

Also, I think I kinda get a clue. A custom mod will override the game's functions, and a mod that loads after will override the previous mod, and so on. I guess that's kinda conclude it.

@ >> Nikel23 >> My "Only Purpose" and giving you TwoJeffs Link was Not that I felt you needed the Vistor Controller Mod, but Only so that you could read his "Compatibility Notes" there regarding how Mods should be loaded. TwoJeffs notes there I think is very helpful in this process for anyone who do not know, how to use any mods.

As far as Two Jeffs Vistor Controller Mod I never said in my statement above that you needed to get or use it. Clearly that was Not my purpose in sharing that link. So if reading Twojeffs notes have help you in anyway to understand the order of mods. Than my purpose of the link have been accomplish to help you or anyone who may or may not know about the correct way of loading mods. :)

[nikel23]

@ >> Nikel23 >> My "Only Purpose" and giving you TwoJeffs Link was Not that I felt you needed the Vistor Controller Mod, but Only so that you could read his "Compatibility Notes" there regarding how Mods should be loaded. TwoJeffs notes there I think is very helpful in this process for anyone who do not know, how to use any mods.

As far as Two Jeffs Vistor Controller Mod I never said in my statement above that you needed to get or use it. Clearly that was Not my purpose in sharing that link. So if reading Twojeffs notes have help you in anyway to understand the order of mods. Than my purpose of the link have been accomplish to help you or anyone who may or may not know about the correct way of loading mods. :)
Sure, I understand that. I meant that if I had ever read the full notes of Visitor Controller, I might have learned how to avoid mod conflict the first place. But I never read it before because I wasn't interested in it. That's okay, I get it. :)