Question by AyJayKaySoft · Oct 07, 2013 at 05:51 PM · variable name identifier unknown

set up identifier name on the fly

Hi there, if I am using an name of a variable that isn't set up so far, I will get the unknown identifier error. That makes sence to me. But if I am sure the name will be set befor it is used, I can't tell the compiler ;) So, if I need to set up on the fly without the same class (special array length or dimension...) it's not possible:

 function SetUpIdentifier (){
     var bla : SomethingSpecial;
 }
 function Start (){
     SetUpIdentifier();
     bla.SomethingVerySpecial();
 }

or even

 function DoSomething (){
     bla.SomethingVerySpecial();
 }
 function Start (){
     var bla : SomethingSpecial;
     DoSomething();
 }

Is it possible to change an variable or to use a so far unset variable... or something else to solve this problem? Thanks :)

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ArkaneX · Oct 07, 2013 at 09:01 PM 0

Why can't you use class scoped variables?

AyJayKaySoft · Nov 27, 2013 at 09:05 PM 0

I'm not sure I understand what you mean :) Because this could even happen when you do some complex stuff outside more than one class... or did I get you wrong?

ArkaneX · Nov 27, 2013 at 09:47 PM 0

I meant that you're declaring your variable in a scope of a function, so it is visible in that function only. When function exits, your variable is lost.

Instead, you can declare a variable outside any function (in a class itself). This will make it available in all the functions of this class:

 var bla : SomethingSpecial;
 function SetUpIdentifier (){
     bla = new SomethingSpecial();
 }
 function Start (){
     SetUpIdentifier();
     bla.SomethingVerySpecial();
 }

So now it's my turn to ask if this is what you want... or did I get you wrong? ;)

AyJayKaySoft · Feb 03, 2014 at 02:28 PM 0

Oh, that makes sense. Ok, than the right question should be like: How do I change the type of any variables, so that I am able to use my SomethingSpecial type? (the type will be build on the fly... like special dimensions of a special list/array or somthing someone smarter can imagine :D )

ArkaneX · Feb 03, 2014 at 02:47 PM 0

It's not possible to change variable types. If a variable is declared as X, then it will always be X.

If you plan to build types on the fly, then I guess you want to use reflection. In this case you can declare your variable as object, and use reflection to access methods/properties. But remember that reflection is slow.