snake4scores

Show the highscores

$ snake4scores

snake4scores

The snake4scores command is a utility specifically designed to display the high scores recorded during gameplay of the classic terminal-based snake game, snake4. It typically reads score data from a designated score file, often located in a system-wide or user-specific directory, and presents it to the user. The output usually lists scores in descending order, showing the player's name, their score, and potentially the date the score was achieved. This command provides a simple way for players to view their achievements and compete with others, reinforcing the game's replayability.

The snake4scores command is not a standard core Linux utility and is only available if the snake4 game package (sometimes bundled as ncurses-snake or similar) is installed on your system. Its functionality is entirely dependent on the game's score-saving mechanism, and the location of the score file may vary depending on the system's package management and installation paths. If the game has not been played or no scores have been saved, the output will likely be empty or indicate no scores found.

The scores displayed by snake4scores are typically stored in a plain text file, often with a simple line-by-line format (e.g., 'NAME SCORE DATE'). Common locations for this score file include /var/games/snake4/scores for system-wide high scores or ~/.snake4_scores for user-specific scores. The exact path can vary based on the game's installation and distribution-specific packaging.

The snake4scores command's history is directly tied to the development and evolution of the snake4 game itself. As a simple, terminal-based game, snake4 (and by extension its score utility) has been a popular inclusion in many Linux distributions and BSD variants for decades, often serving as a demonstration of ncurses capabilities or just a fun diversion. Its basic functionality for displaying scores has remained largely consistent, reflecting the straightforward nature of high score management in such games, adapting only to minor changes in file paths or game versions.

snake4(6), ncurses(3), cat(1), tail(1)