Build number implications
for as long as the build number remains the same, will static data remain the same?
Do these sort of changes (always) require a new build?
A yes for both (or more a maybe for the latter).
Static data won’t change as long as the build id doesn’t but of course the “discovery” data does all the time.
A maybe for the changes after patch because at least renamings most likely occur for other languages than english – stat changes on items usually don’t occur unless they’ve been announced.
We’ve created a tracker for new discovered items as well as for renamed items (for all languages):
http://gw2wbot.darthmaim.de/rss/newItems/
http://gw2wbot.darthmaim.de/rss/renamedItems/
(edited by smiley.1438)
So if I write a program that makes a 1:1 local copy of the static data, I only have to worry about updating my local copy when the build number changes?
For discovery endpoints, the build number doesn’t matter as much, right? I’m guessing that new identifiers are only added to the output as they are discovered by in-game players?
That’s correct.
- The data returned by item_details.json / recipe_details.json / map_floor.json / colors.json / etc. can only change when a new build is released.
- items.json and recipes.json will have new IDs added as players discover new items/recipes, so you should probably check them periodically.
- event_names.json is special because it’s a combined static/discovery endpoint. New events will be added to the list the first time they run after a build, but the name is then static and can only change after a new build.