Now knowing factorio I want to try out some automation in DF with the next fort. I made some comparison of the vanilla work orders and DFhacks workflow/stockflow plugins. Please correct me if I missed something:
workflow
⁃ can specify quality level
⁃ specify tolerance (gap) to implement hysteresis for unsuspending jobs
⁃ announcement when it starts/stops production
does not work via the manager, therefore no announcements ⁃ production goal
workshop specific. Distribution among different workshops must be done manually
⁃ possible to import/export constraints
+ Can automate jobs without details that are modified by gui/job-material, i.e. maintain stock of specific booze
⁃ respect stockpile links?
work orders
⁃ can have conditions depending on the status of other work orders
⁃ choose if an order should be workshop specific
⁃ announcement when order is finished
⁃
impossible to import/export work orders via macro or dfhack plugin
⁃ does not respect
stockpile linksstockflow
⁃ respect stockpile links? (probably not cause its using the manager)
⁃ announcement when order is finished
⁃ impossible to import/export settings
+ does not respect job-material
It seems every approach still has its benefits.
stockflow in fast mode should be more like the
kanban system mentioned earlier to implement just-in-time production with small inventories and hence no need for bins. That's why I think I will give the stockflow a try.