Zugg Software :: View topic

Wanderer Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 76

I set up the following alias, named test:

#VAR targetQueue %array( "item1", "item2")
#VAR targetQueue %additem( "item3", @targetQueue)
#VAR targetQueue %additem( "item4", @targetQueue)
#VAR targetQueue %additem( "item5", @targetQueue)

The thing is, after I execute this, targetQueue has the following contents: Array, item3, item4, item5. If I just execute the first line, it adds item1 and item2 like exected. However, for some reason unknown to me, the first time I %additem it completely destroyes whatever was in the list prior to that call (not to mention the 'Array' entry). Does that seem normal to anyone? I would assume a function named %additem would simply append what I pass it to the end of a list. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Wanderer Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 76

Right, so after talking with a friend, I changed the first #VAR statement to this:

#VAR targetQueue "item1"

He said that lists and arrays SHOULD be the same thing in zMUD, but they aren't. This fixed the problem. So, now I have to follow up questions.

1) Why do arrays and string lists exist in the present form where they are not equivalent?
2) Why not add a list function for instantiating a new list, similar to %array, but that will work %additem the way that it should work?

Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:54 pm

Unless i am misunderstanding the %array help file, don't think you are doing it right.
Should be %additem as well.
I just tried it and it added them all.
The %array only put in item5

Enchanter Joined: 10 Oct 2000 Posts: 698

1. If I remember correctly, lists were added as a variant type of variable very early in zMud development. Lists are fast, easy and convenient and the - #ADDITEM, %additem, #DELITEM and %delitem - commands and functions were created to manipulate string lists directly.

The %array function was added much later to facilitate COM functionality. To communicate with other COM objects, a strict type definition was needed so the %array function was added for this reason.

2. A COMMAND for instantiating a new list, which works with %additem the way it should, already exists...
#VAR example_string_list {first_value|second_value|third_value}

Wanderer Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 76

Ah, I can see the purpose of having %array around now, thanks. Yes, I figured out I can just use %additem to add an item to an already existing variable, and it works nicely. Thanks for the response! :)