Command/Variable Questions

[Nimono]

Okay, let's go....

1: How do I use the command "int NumNPCs()"? I want to assign this value to a variable "ScrnNPC", but when I compile, I get this error:

"Could not match type signature 'NumNPCs()'"

Here's what I'm doing: "int ScrnNPCs = NumNPCs()" Changing that "int" to "npc" doesn't work.

2: How does "npc LoadNPC(int num)" work, exactly? Again, I want to give the value of this to another variable, "RandNPC".

So you know, I'm trying to make a script that destroys one random enemy when used. Thus, I have to check for the number of enemies on the screen, then modify a random enemy so its HP is 0, thus it gets destroyed. Thing is, most of these, I don't know how to work. Oh, and while I'm thinking about it.... Anyone know how to work "int Rand(int maxvalue)"? I asked jman in chat yesterday, but he told me he wasn't sure how to work it, either.... Help is appreciated.

[blue_knight]

NumNPCs and LoadNPC are both members of "Screen." So do Screen->NumNPCs(); or Screen->LoadNPC(idx); Remember that LoadNPC is 1 based, meaning 1 is the first NPC - 0 is invalid. I haven't used Rand() yet, I'll try it later and let you know. Does this answer your questions (except for Rand of course)?

[DarkDragon]

Rand(x) returns some integer y such that 0 <= y < x.
When in doubt, don't forget to check the documentation.

[Nimono]

DarkDragon, I DID check the documentation, but it doesn't tell how to use a single variable there. Basically, it's just saying "Here's the variables, go figure out how to use them yourselves", which I don't like. I'm STILL not sure if I'm using it right....

blue_knight, thank you for helping me out with that variable. I never would've thought to use "Screen->". XD

Edit: But that brings me to another question. When using Rand, how would I make it so there's a specifc MINIMUM value, too? I need a random number so I can load a random enemy to modify, but.... If the Random number ever comes back 0, nothing will happen. How would I make it so it can never come back 0, only numbers 1-10?

[Grayswandir]

How would I make it so it can never come back 0, only numbers 1-10?

Use floor from std.zh:
Floor(Rand(max - min + 1)) + min


Say you want a number from 1 to 6:
Rand(6 - 1 + 1) is the same as Rand(6), so you will get a number from 0 to 5.9999...
Floor brings that down to an integer from 0 to 5, with an equal chance for each.
Add the minimum value of 1, to get a number from 1 to 6.

[Nimono]

Ah. How would I set that to another variable? I'm a bit confused here.... If I want the highest number to be 10, I put 11 as the maxvalue? And seriously, tell me how I set that up to set it to a variable RandNum. Please.

[DarkDragon]

DarkDragon, I DID check the documentation, but it doesn't tell how to use a single variable there. Basically, it's just saying "Here's the variables, go figure out how to use them yourselves", which I don't like. I'm STILL not sure if I'm using it right....

blue_knight, thank you for helping me out with that variable. I never would've thought to use "Screen->". XD

Edit: But that brings me to another question. When using Rand, how would I make it so there's a specifc MINIMUM value, too? I need a random number so I can load a random enemy to modify, but.... If the Random number ever comes back 0, nothing will happen. How would I make it so it can never come back 0, only numbers 1-10?

The documentation is split up by which variable you need to use. Global functions are not associated with any pointer type, so you just plain call them:

int randnumber = 5 + Rand(5); //makes a random number from 5 to 9

any function or variable under the "X Functions and Variables" headings require a pointer of type X. For instance, to use the X that is Link's position, you would do

Link->X = 0; //move link to the right of the screen

Is that what you were asking about? Or are you talking about actual, user defined variables?

For your second question, notice that Rand(y) will give you a number such that 0 <= x < y. But you want 1 <= x < 11, right? So we can do some algebra to calculate what you need to do. To get the correct lower value, we can add 1 to the result (1 + Rand(y)) to get 1 <= x < y+1. Then clearly you want y=10, so

int whatever = 1 + Rand(10);

would get you a number from 1 to 10, inclusive.

[Nimono]

Thanks! Would the random number return a decimal number, too, or does it only do whole numbers? I'd assume it'd only do whole numbers, but.... Just want to make sure. And thank you for the help.

And by the way, I don't remember WHAT it was I was talking about earlier. XD I'm confused after re-reading my earlier post....

Edit: Oh yeah, what about the HP variable for NPCs? Let's say I wanted variable "Boo" to be a loaded NPC. Would I modify the NPC's HP by using "Boo->HP = whatever", or what?

[blue_knight]

Yes that is correct. Basically NPCs, FFCs, Items, etc. are pointers to "objects". To access variables and functions that the objects contain ("member variables" and "member functions") you use the "->" operator. Similarly you can access variables from a script (which too is an object), except you use the "." operator. Examples:

Link->X = 0; set the "X" variable of the object "Link"

NPC npc1 = Screen->LoadNPC(1);
npc1->HP = Link->HP; set the "HP" variable of the object "npc1" to the "HP" variable of the object "Link"

[Nimono]

Yes that is correct. Basically NPCs, FFCs, Items, etc. are pointers to "objects". To access variables and functions that the objects contain ("member variables" and "member functions") you use the "->" operator. Similarly you can access variables from a script (which too is an object), except you use the "." operator. Examples:

Link->X = 0; set the "X" variable of the object "Link"

NPC npc1 = Screen->LoadNPC(1);
npc1->HP = Link->HP; set the "HP" variable of the object "npc1" to the "HP" variable of the object "Link"

Thanks! That helps me out a lot. :)