What exactly does for() do?

[Subpixel]

for(%a = 0; %a < %obj.getDatablock().maxTools; %a++)
I think this means %a is increaser for every item slots there are, but honestly I have no idea.
Can someone describe in-depth what this does?

[Ad Bot]

[Kalphiter²]

In parts:
(1) set %a to zero
(2) run code in the "body" of the loop until %a is greater than the max tools
(3) add 1 to %a

[Subpixel]

Then couldn't you just do while(%a < %obj.getDatablock().maxTools) {%a++;} ?

[Kalphiter²]

Yes, it is the same but a for loop is better-purposed for that situation.

You should set %a to zero first, however.

[Xalos]

for(initialization;loopstart/conditional;loopend)
{
    code;
}

initialization;
while(loopstart/conditional)
{
   code;
   loopend;
}

The only difference between these two¹ is that for the while loop, using "continue;" would make the loopend part not run.


for(%i=0;%i<10;%i++)   //Echoes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
{
    echo(%i);
    continue;
}

%i = 0;
while(%i < 10)   //Echoes 0 in an infinite loop. Freezes your game².
{
    echo(%i);
    continue;
    %i++;
}


¹As far as I know/remember at this time.
²That code simplifies to while(true) { echo(%i); } due to the continue;.

[Nexus]

Then couldn't you just do while(%a < %obj.getDatablock().maxTools) {%a++;} ?

Generally when you are deciding whether you want to use a while loop or a for loop, you use a for loop when it matters what iteration you are on or if you have a specific number of times you want something looped, and a while loop otherwise.
For example, using a variable that counts the number of loops, then accesses a different variable in an array, (such as $var[0], $var[1], $var[2] with just $var[%i]) is perfect in a for loop.
If you just want to call some function repeatedly until it returns a certain value, a while loop is more efficient.

Code: [Select]

while(%dragon.isAlive())
{
     %warrior.heal();
     %warrior.dodge();
     %warrior.attack(%dragon);
}

There really isn't any situation that you absolutely need to use a for loop or absolutely need to use a while loop, but each are optimized for different things.

[Ephialtes]

(2) run code in the "body" of the loop until %a is greater than or equal to the max tools

Come on. Comparisons are simple.

[Kalphiter²]

Come on. Comparisons are simple.

Mistakes like that happen when wording is reversed but the entire sentence isn't fixed. Calm your titties.

[Subpixel]

Come on. Comparisons are simple.

Wait, what?
If it's only called when %a is LESS than %obj.getDatablock().maxTools, wouldn't that mean it stops when it's equal?

[Ephialtes]

Wait, what?
If it's only called when %a is LESS than %obj.getDatablock().maxTools, wouldn't that mean it stops when it's equal?

That's what I said, yeah.

[Subpixel]

That's what I said, yeah.

So your bold text was a correction rather than a highlight, okay.