[JASS] Replacing Waits with Timers without JNGP/vJass

[Drenferalis]

OK before you refer me to JNGP the answer is no.

Reasons:

1. I don't want people who cant use vJass to become disappointed that my spells wont work on their version of WE.
2. I don't feel comfortable with a program that is outdated and barely works.
   (Eg. You have to manually update files, some things don't work, if you turn the wrong thing on your maps will crash, etc.) Point me to a STABLE version of JNGP and I MAY consider it.

Anyone that tells me those reasons are just excuses will be ignored.


Now here is what I want to do and why I want to do it:

• I have a wait inside of a loop. I need the wait to reach as little as .1 seconds.
• The wait must be at 1 specific place in the loop. It must then continue the loop until conditions are met.
• The wait is inside an if statement.

I basically need to know what natives to use, and how to use them effectively.

+rep for helpers.

 

[PurgeandFire]

native CreateTimer          takes nothing returns timer
native TimerStart           takes timer whichTimer, real timeout, boolean periodic, code handlerFunc returns nothing

Basically. The only problem is attaching data to the timer. You could try using a deprecated method. Whatever works, gamecache or whatever those array systems are. However, I don't know how the modders would react toward approving them. =\ Even if it was supposed to be a non-vJass version it might not be approved because it isn't most optimal. D:

 

[The Reborn Devil]

vJASS isn't required, so using hashtables or gamecaches to store data is perfectly fine, but it will most likely not get recommended unless it's really awesome as efficiency is rather important.

 

[Drenferalis]

I saw the BJ polled wait and thought about using that, then realized it was using the waits as well. I still don't get how to make a timer work like a wait within 1 function...

 

[The Reborn Devil]

You can't. You must split it up into several functions. Example:

function loop takes nothing returns nothing
    //Do your loop stuff here
endfunction

function Init takes nothing returns nothing
    local timer t = CreateTimer()
    call TimerStart(t, 0.1, true, function loop)
    set t = null
endfunction

To stop it you simply use a global integer and increase it's value until it reaches what you want and then do:

    call PauseTimer(t)
    call DestroyTimer(t)

The timer should also be global.

 

[Berb]

Anyone that tells me those reasons are just excuses will be ignored.

There is no reason to make up an excuse for not using. If you don't like using it fine but its not out-dated, and its perfectly stable. I could crash your World Editor quite easily actually, do you want me to show you how?

Go into the GUI trigger-editor, select "Add Action" and look for your Hashtable functions. Select the one that looks like this:

• Hashtable - Save Unitpool Hashtable

Now select the field "Unitpool". Your World Editor will crash. Not so stable, now is it?

 

[Anachron]

But when you use JASS, you still have to know how to import it. And the jump from JASS to vJass isn't big at all.

 

[Berb]

No, in fact JASS alone feels restricted where as vJass is a lot easier to deal with.

 

[DevilDuke1995]

I don't feel comfortable with a program that is outdated and barely works.
(Eg. You have to manually update files, some things don't work, if you turn the wrong thing on your maps will crash, etc.) Point me to a STABLE version of JNGP and I MAY consider it.

So u are never gonna learn vJASS because u have to CnP the latest JassHelper in the JNGP folder and cause Grimoire doesnt work? Believe me ive been in the same situation and vJASS rock. It changes your life.

Seriously.

 

[Anachron]

There really is no point in not switching to vJass once you touched jass.

 

[Drenferalis]

You can't. You must split it up into several functions. Example:

function loop takes nothing returns nothing
    //Do your loop stuff here
endfunction

function Init takes nothing returns nothing
    local timer t = CreateTimer()
    call TimerStart(t, 0.1, true, function loop)
    set t = null
endfunction

To stop it you simply use a global integer and increase it's value until it reaches what you want and then do:

    call PauseTimer(t)
    call DestroyTimer(t)

The timer should also be global.

Such as this?

function xWait takes real duration returns nothing
    local timer t
    local real  timeRemaining

    if (duration > 0) then
        set t = CreateTimer()
        call TimerStart(t, duration, false, null)
        loop
            set timeRemaining = TimerGetRemaining(t)
            exitwhen timeRemaining <= 0
            
          
        endloop
        set t=null
        call PauseTimer(t)
        call DestroyTimer(t)
    endif
endfunction

This just freezes the spell...
[EDIT:]
And if timer can't be used as a local (for MUI) then why?

And the main reason I don't use JNGP (on a lot of stuff) is that I won't always have access to it like I do the regular editor. If I have to edit something I either have to wait to use my home computer or not be able to test the map or whatever I am working on.

There are also some people who cant use it period. (For whatever reason)

So I like releasing a Jass AND a vJass version of whatever I am working on (except maps of course). This way EVERYONE can use whatever I release.

 

[Bribe]

JNGP worked so well that I had to uninstall the game because it was so addicting I was using it day and night without sleep.

 

[Berb]

You need to use the TimerStart function to begin the timer. This native function calls a code parameter which is basically a function. This function is executed every specified duration (if you have it as repeating). You would then need to attach the information from the spell to the timer so that you can reference it in the periodic response function as GetExpiredTimer().

This is what you need for attaching the data:

struct s_forData
    unit uData = null
    real r1Data 
    real r2Data

    integer intData
endstruct

globals
    hashtable dataHash = InitHashtable()
endglobals

... // This will "clear" the data from the hashtable, should be used when done with data.
    call RemoveSavedInteger( dataHash, GetHandleId( GetExpiredTimer() ), 1 )
... // This "retrieves" the data from the hashtable.
    call LoadInteger( dataHash, GetHandleId( GetExpiredTimer() ), 1 )
... // This would construct your data struct.
    local s_forData dat = s_forData.create()
    set dat.uData = GetTriggerUnit()
    set dat.intData = GetSpellAbilityLevel( dat.uData, GetSpellAbilityId() )
    set dat.r1Data = GetSpellTargetX()
    set dat.r2Data = GetSpellTargetY()
    // This is for "saving" your data to a handle. (It works like a 2D array, GetHandleId()
    //  works as a unique integer ID for that unit)
    call SaveInteger( dataHash, GetHandleId( yourTimerVar ), 1, dat )
...

This is just an example of how you would use it, and the function names/parameters. Hope this helps.

 

[Mooglefrooglian]

Nice example, except it uses vJass, which you may notice he doesn't want because he's clearly insane. There is no reason not to use vJass unless you're on Linux. And then the idea is to use vJass anyways in gedit and compile on Windows.

 

[TriggerHappy]

JNGP is far less prone to crashes than the regular world editor.
Most people have it anyways..

 

[Mooglefrooglian]

JNGP is far less prone to crashes than the regular world editor.
Most people have it anyways..

Disagree. Would say it's on par.

 

[Bribe]

Saving a custom trigger with errors often crashes the entire program in WorldEdit.exe... JNGP has failsafes to prevent just that.

 

[Darkt3mpl3r]

get the jass new gen pack updated with horus and cJass from xgm.ru and you'll be fine. imba syntax cstyle highlightning ftw

 

[Justify]

He said, he doesn't want JNGP because not everyone can use it/uses vJass, and you recommend the crappy cJass? oO

 

[Mooglefrooglian]

crappy cJass? oO

I take offense to that. cJass introduces defines, and ++/--. Vexorian refused to add += or any of those operators. cJass is the only true path.

Also, who cant use JNGP? I can't on Linux, but then again, I haven't spent the effort (gave up after 10 minutes). And I'm on Windows 99% of the time so meh.

 

[Berb]

cJass is like writing Java with C syntax.

 

[Reaper2008]

Yup, but especially now, with SC2 coming, it's useless to learn vJASS, cJASS, zinc or whatever.

 

[Berb]

If you really want to learn something you will.

 

[Justify]

I take offense to that. cJass introduces defines, and ++/--. Vexorian refused to add += or any of those operators. cJass is the only true path...

... to a non Jass-like syntax. Not everyone dislikes Jass (yes the same with Zinc, but I only use it for fun).

 

[Darkt3mpl3r]

Yup, but especially now, with SC2 coming, it's useless to learn vJASS, cJASS, zinc or whatever.

wrong. galaxy = cJass/zinc/C based syntax

 

[Mooglefrooglian]

Wrong, but only because learning any programming language helps you learn the rest. Every language has its quirks, but the basic flow of an if/then/else and loop stay the same. Techniques you use here work elsewhere.

When I first learned to program, it was Visual Basic. Half hour and I could do JASS, although it took weeks to learn all of the annoying things you can't do.