Question about indexing tables

[MicroMacro]

So, I'm doing something for a school project, and I am setting up an id system using string names, i.e.:

Code: Select all

blocks = {}
blocks["block1"] = {}

I would like to run a for loop to grab the data from all the available blocks. My problem is that a for loop only counts numbers. How do I get it to index the string names with the for loop?

All help is appreciated. Thanks.

[bobbyjones]

You can use pairs(t) it runs through every index but doesn't guarantee an order.

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for key, value in pairs(blocks) do
    -- do stuff with the stuff from blocks
end
 

If you need a better example just ask. Also I recommend reading up on your for loops. There are two kinds the generic and numeric for. http://www.lua.org/pil/4.3.html <-- this should help.

[MicroMacro]

Yeah, I might need a better example. Here's what the full block tables look like:

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blocks = {}
blocks["block1"] = {}
blocks["block1"].name = "block1"
blocks["block1"].funct = function() print("Debug") end

blocks["block2"] = {}
blocks["block2"].name = "block2"
blocks["block2"].funct = function() print("Debug2") end

How would I makea for loop run through both blocks and run both of their functions?

[MicroMacro]

EDIT: Nevermind. I figured out how to use these again.

[bobbyjones]

Yay, I was just starting to type. lol

[s-ol]

Yeah, I might need a better example. Here's what the full block tables look like:

Code: Select all

blocks = {}
blocks["block1"] = {}
blocks["block1"].name = "block1"
blocks["block1"].funct = function() print("Debug") end

blocks["block2"] = {}
blocks["block2"].name = "block2"
blocks["block2"].funct = function() print("Debug2") end

How would I makea for loop run through both blocks and run both of their functions?

By the way, indexing with strings can be done just with the "." , like you also did later. This is exactly the same as your version:

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blocks = {}
blocks.block1= {}
blocks.block1.name = "block1"
blocks.block1.funct = function() print("Debug") end

blocks.block2 = {}
blocks.block2.name = "block2"
blocks.block2.funct = function() print("Debug2") end

Instead, you can also create the same table like this:

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blocks = {
  block1 = {
    name = "block1",
    funct = function() print"Debug" end
  },
  block2 = {
    name = "block2",
    funct  function() print"Debug" end
  }
}

[Ref]

To beat a dead horse, how about simply:

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blocks = {
  {
    name = "block1",
    funct = function() print"Debug" end
  },
  {
    name = "block2",
    funct  function() print"Debug" end
  }
}

and use a simple 'for' loop?

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for I = 1, #blocks do print( blocks[ I ].name ) end

[Advert]

To beat a dead horse, how about simply:

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blocks = {
  {
    name = "block1",
    funct = function() print"Debug" end
  },
  {
    name = "block2",
    funct  function() print"Debug" end
  }
}

and use a simple 'for' loop?

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for I = 1, #blocks do print( blocks[ I ].name ) end

You could use the general ent table, and just keep track of the blocks in a seperate table, as well:

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local blocks = {}
local blockproto = {}

function blockproto:onCreate(id) -- when you create an entity, call entity:onCreate(id)
  blocks[self] = id
end

function blockproto:onDestroy() -- when you destroy an entity, call entity:onDestroy()
  blocks[self] = nil
end

-- you should get the picture from this