Uninitialised Variable Arrays

[Radicool]

So I want to save some data into a variable:

• Set BossSounds[5] = HeroTinkerReady1 <gen>

My question is, what happens to the array count 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4? Is a NULL value being saved into them or nothing? I'm asking this because I'm wondering if skipping array positions is wasting system memory (by saving useless values).

 

[SAUS]

If I understand it correctly, you are wasting system memory if you skip them, however, it is going to be a very small amount. It should be noted that the size of the array increases only if it is not large enough to accommodate the index you are trying to use. It will skip to the next largest power of 2. In this case, your array is actually size 8 in the memory. Units are actually just unit handles, so you are essentially just storing one integer. 8 integers is very little memory. However, I imagine it could get bad if you had many hundred arrays and skipped to index 5000 or something. I think that is why unit indexers are typically quite aggressive with recycling.

I can't say I'm an expert on how WC3 works. This is just what I have picked up over time and from what I know about computers (from school etc.).

 

[Radicool]

Ok thanks for that.

 

[Wietlol]

The data stored in the other array indices remains the same as what they were before.
You can see arrays as a list of boxes.
In each box, you can store one thing, for example sounds.
If you change the value of a specific box, it wont affect the others.

A WC3 array has a limit of 8192 (0 ... 8191). The 8191st index is bugged when saving and loading the game though (iirc).

 

[Dr Super Good]

WC3 arrays are initialized to null/0 upon creation. That said it is still recommended that you first write a value to the array at an index before reading from it.

 

[edo494]

I will fill the remaining types up, so it fills with default values for all types, so 0 for int, 0.0 for float, null for string and handles, and code, and false for boolean

 

[Radicool]

Well seeing as values are stored into previous array positions by default which use memory, ill try to make a better effort to start storing values at the "0" position, as to not waste this memory.

 

[edo494]

even if you write into 8190 as your first indicies(I highly discourage using 8191, ever), you will waste at most 32,764 bytes of memory.