Array DLL - Updated ... again - GameCreators Forum

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IanM

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Posted: 1st Sep 2003 02:24

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I have doubled the number of commands in the array dll ... by allowing all commands to also accept an array address as an argument in place of an array name.

For example, these pieces of code are equivalent

+ Code Snippet

`before
sort array MyArray()

`after
ArrayAddress = get array ptr( MyArray() )
sort array ArrayAddress

What's the gain? Now you can pass array identities into functions:

+ Code Snippet

DoStuff( get array ptr( MyArray() ) )

function DoStuff(Array as dword)
   swap array item Array, 0, 1
endfunction

This allows you to write functions that do not have hard-coded array names inside them. I have a great example of what you can do that I'll post here tomorrow.

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IanM

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Posted: 2nd Sep 2003 00:00

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Hot off the presses ...

You can now pass arrays by reference and access them as arrays in the normal way.

` Example of passing arrays by reference, and relinking them
` to allow easy access to the data.

` This example creates an array of the squares of 0 to 10,
` then passes the address of the array to a function which
` uses sqrt to set the values back to their original values.

dim a(10) as integer

` Put the square of the numbers 0 to 10 into the array
print "BEFORE:"
for i=0 to 10
   a(i)=i*i
   print a(i)
next i
print

ProcessAllValues( get array ptr(a()) )

print "AFTER:"
for i=0 to array count( a() )
   print a(i)
next i

wait key

function ProcessAllValues(ArrayPtr as dword)
   ` Create an array, then link the array address onto it.
   ` You should ensure that the correct type of array is
   `   created if you wish to change values.
   dim b() as integer
   link array to pointer b(), ArrayPtr

` Change any values you want, and even delete entries, but do not undim or
   ` enlarge the array in any way
   for i=0 to array count( b() )
      b(i) = sqrt( b(i) )
   next i

` Finally unlink the array or it will be destroyed
   unlink array pointer b()
endfunction

+ Code Snippet

` Example of passing arrays by reference, and relinking them
` to allow easy access to the data.

` This example creates an array of the squares of 0 to 10,
` then passes the address of the array to a function which
` uses sqrt to set the values back to their original values.

dim a(10) as integer

` Put the square of the numbers 0 to 10 into the array
print "BEFORE:"
for i=0 to 10
   a(i)=i*i
   print a(i)
next i
print

ProcessAllValues( get array ptr(a()) )

print "AFTER:"
for i=0 to array count( a() )
   print a(i)
next i

wait key


function ProcessAllValues(ArrayPtr as dword)
   ` Create an array, then link the array address onto it.
   ` You should ensure that the correct type of array is
   `   created if you wish to change values.
   dim b() as integer
   link array to pointer b(), ArrayPtr

   ` Change any values you want, and even delete entries, but do not undim or
   ` enlarge the array in any way
   for i=0 to array count( b() )
      b(i) = sqrt( b(i) )
   next i

   ` Finally unlink the array or it will be destroyed
   unlink array pointer b()
endfunction

Oh, and I've also included three small example program in the zip file

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IanM

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Posted: 2nd Sep 2003 23:37

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Here's that example code I promised two days ago ... a bit late, but never mind

To use it, you will need my Array plugin and the Extend1 plugin.

The idea behind this is that you can assemble your meshes into an array instead of a memblock which simplifies and speeds up your code (array access is far faster than memblock access). Then when your array is complete, you call one of the Make????FromVertexBuffer functions that quickly copies all the array data into a memblock and makes a mesh from it.

Despite all the copying that happens you will find that this code still runs faster than the equivalent memblock code. My original code ran at 58fps, this code runs at 67fps.

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D Man

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Posted: 3rd Sep 2003 00:05

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That's really useful!
I think I'll test it.

God is real, unless declared integer.

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IanM

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Posted: 16th Sep 2003 10:10 Edited at: 16th Sep 2003 10:11

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Just a quick update for everyone in regard to Update 5.1

Unfortunately, this latest update has slightly broken the type system within the compiler. It now makes the wrong decision as to which version of the command you want in relation to using an array or an array pointer. It will always try and use the pointer version and will give you a 'cast' error.

The quick fix for you is for any code that you have that looks like this:

REVERSE ARRAY a()

Change it to this:

REVERSE ARRAY get array ptr( a() )

I'll be updating the dll tonight to rename all of the pointer related commands to avoid the conflict.

Please note, that will will only affect *this* dll, as no-one else is currently using arrays in this way.

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IanM

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Posted: 17th Sep 2003 10:40

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Version 4 of the DLL is now available.

I have solved the problem by simply renaming all commands that access a pointer instead of an array to use the work ARRAYPTR instead of ARRAY in the command name.

Hopefully, this won't break too much of anyones code

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