Lua Programming Help Thread

[RanDom_ErrOr]

so basically you want to make a random number once as a function in a while true do loop...

you cant. only way to do this would be to gen a random number when the program starts in use for this function... only way to do it to use the same number every time...

or...

function whiletruestart()
blah = math.random(1,30)
whiletrue(loop)
use blah somehow
end
end

[RanDom_ErrOr]

I've made a UFA or... i should say, im learning lua through coding what i dont understand so i can learn how to use it... >>; but i've kinda run into an interesting ... bug?

When using Lua Player for Windows, everytime i run this code, the same colors and positions are used when the program starts... its kinda weird... even when using the math.random() function to generate "random" numbers...

is there a reliable random number function that doesnt seem to generate the same exact results each time... /cry

-- Demonstration No-User-App
-- Author: RanDom_ErrOr
-- Copyright 2006
-- No liscense with this product what so ever. Use at your own risk. I will accept no liability or responsibility if you **** something up.
color1 = Color.new(113, 113, 113 )
color2 = Color.new(61, 115, 169 )
color3 = Color.new(39, 75, 112)
color4 = Color.new(96,120,238)
color5 = Color.new(192,218,250)
color6 = Color.new(224,227,254)
screenwidth = 480
screenheight = 272
letter = "o"
organism = { }
organism[1] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[2] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[3] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[4] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[5] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[6] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
screen:print(100,240," User Free Application Demo_Author:RanDom_ErrOr", color3)

while true do

	x1 = organism[1].posx
	y1 = organism[1].posy
	screen:print(x1 , y1 , letter, color1)
	organism[1].posx = organism[1].posx + math.random(-3,3)
	organism[1].posy = organism[1].posy + math.random(-3,3)
	
	if organism[1].posx >= screenwidth  or organism[1].posx <= 0 then
			organism[1].posx = math.random(1,480)
	end

	if organism[1].posy >= screenheight or organism[1].posy <= 0 then
			organism[1].posy = math.random(1,272)
	end
	x2 = organism[2].posx
	y2 = organism[2].posy
	color = organism[1].color
	screen:print(x2 , y2 , letter, color2)
	organism[2].posx = organism[2].posx + math.random(-3,3)
	organism[2].posy = organism[2].posy + math.random(-3,3)

	if organism[2].posx >= screenwidth or organism[2].posx <= 0 then
			organism[2].posx = math.random(1,480)
	end

	if organism[2].posy >= screenheight or organism[2].posy <= 0 then
			organism[2].posy = math.random(1,272)
	end

	x3 = organism[3].posx
	y3 = organism[3].posy
	color = organism[3].color
	screen:print(x3 , y3 , letter, color3)
	organism[3].posx = organism[3].posx + math.random(-3,3)
	organism[3].posy = organism[3].posy + math.random(-3,3)

	if organism[3].posx >= screenwidth or organism[3].posx <= 0 then
			organism[3].posx = math.random(1,480)
	end

	if organism[3].posy >= screenheight or organism[3].posy <= 0 then
			organism[3].posy = math.random(1,272)
	end

	x4 = organism[4].posx
	y4 = organism[4].posy
	screen:print(x4 , y4 , letter, color4)
	organism[4].posx = organism[4].posx + math.random(-3,3)
	organism[4].posy = organism[4].posy + math.random(-3,3)

	if organism[4].posx >= screenwidth or organism[4].posx <= 0 then
			organism[4].posx = math.random(1,480)
	end

	if organism[4].posy >= screenheight or organism[4].posy <= 0 then
			organism[4].posy = math.random(1,272)
	end
	x5 = organism[5].posx
	y5 = organism[5].posy
	color = organism[4].color
	screen:print(x5 , y5 , letter, color5)
	organism[5].posx = organism[5].posx + math.random(-3,3)
	organism[5].posy = organism[5].posy + math.random(-3,3)

	if organism[5].posx >= screenwidth or organism[5].posx <= 0 then
			organism[5].posx = math.random(1,480)
	end

	if organism[5].posy >= screenheight or organism[5].posy <= 0 then
			organism[5].posy = math.random(1,272)
	end

	x6 = organism[6].posx
	y6 = organism[6].posy
	color = organism[6].color
	screen:print(x6 , y6 , letter, color6)
	organism[6].posx = organism[6].posx + math.random(-3,3)
	organism[6].posy = organism[6].posy + math.random(-3,3)

	if organism[6].posx >= screenwidth or organism[6].posx <= 0 then
			organism[6].posx = math.random(1,480)
	end

	if organism[6].posy >= screenheight or organism[6].posy <= 0 then
			organism[6].posy = math.random(1,272)
	end
	screen.flip()

end
while true do

screen.waitVblankStart()
end

also... unfortunately for the life of me i cant figure out how to compress this code down to a few lines in lua... if this was php i could do this like... real quick...

on tables is there anyway to dynamically create tables from the program? like using a variable inside on an array instead of just a number or text... is there a special delimiter used when doing this?

im guessing instead that you actually have to use a tableconstructor to use variables like i want to... great... or does that even work? i guess i'll have to try it and see if it will...

also is there a way to do a foreach table[?] do something like table[1]-[5] etc with less code than i've used...

whats funny is that this is the first program i've programmed in Lua, and its kind of restrained, not being able to easily (php is so easy with tables like blah[$vari] = { $blah2 = $blah, etc = $1234, $huh = $great}
)
basically i want code to easily increase the number of dudes >>; course, i could use the buttons, but i'd need an easy way to make new tables... (buttons and crap i can do, its just how to make the tables easier (with variables or with functions... w/e) )

thanks in advance... ^^

EDIT: optimized code a little, but still ugly and bloated... ><

[Altair]

Ok thats a lot so im just answering in parts and edit i guess lol.

Ok for a different "random" number each time you should make a seed. I dont know the exact command unfortunately, but its something like this: random.seed(ostime("%c"))

Ok sorry i have to do java programming for my study. One last thing:

organism = { }
organism[1] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[2] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[3] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[4] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[5] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
organism[6] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }

could be shorter by using this:

organism = { }
for i=1,9 do
organism[i] = { posx = math.random(1,480), posy = math.random(1,272) }
end

Waaaaay shorter
Later!

[ct-boy]

@ct-boy

If it stops at 90% it means there is something wrong between 90% and 100%. Just so you know for the future. I think people forget that, maybe im wrong. So anyway, Lua cant handle GIF's (yet), so change that in your code.

thanks alot man! know I got my game to work fully but am not yet gonna release it!

am soo happy :humped: :humped: :Punk: :icon_smil

[shadow-evillink]

--Load images
pica = Image.load("Path to image")
picb = Image.load("Path to image")

--Begin the main loop
while true do
pad = Controls.read()

screen:blit(0, 0, pica)

if pad:cross() then
screen:clear()
screen:blit(0, 0, picb)
end

screen.flip()
end

Ok now it's half done (pica) disappears when (picb) appears but then (picb) stays printed on the screen.

[RanDom_ErrOr]

unfortunately man when trying to do organism[i] it makes it so i is the key / index... so it doesnt work... im actually looking for a way to use a variable(which will be a number) as an index... (so i dont have to hard code all this crap for each organism )

[c5cha7]

Ok now it's half done (pica) disappears when (picb) appears but then (picb) stays printed on the screen.

Once again this works:

--Load images
bg = Image.load("bg.png")
pic = {}
pic[1] = Image.load("flapperleft1.png")
pic[2] = Image.load("flapperleft2.png")
imgpic=pic[1]

--Begin the main loop
while true do
screen:blit(0, 0, bg)
pad = Controls.read()

if pad:cross() then
imgpic=pic[2]
else
imgpic=pic[1]
end

screen:blit(0, 0, imgpic)
screen.flip()
end

you just need a background know .

[TeamOverload]

thanks alot man! know I got my game to work fully but am not yet gonna release it!

am soo happy :humped: :humped: :Punk: :icon_smil

Care to state what your game is?

[ct-boy]

Care to state what your game is?

nope sry lol.

:Punk: :icon_smil ;) but I still need a little help from anyone my msn is ct-trav[email protected]

[TeamOverload]

Alright thats cool....ill be anxious to see it when it is released

[ro0kie42]

Ok, let's say a = math.random(1, 20). Then i say, print (0,0, a), it prints every number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc... through 20. I just want it to print a single random number

[PSPHax0r9]

Ok, let's say a = math.random(1, 20). Then i say, print (0,0, a), it prints every number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc... through 20. I just want it to print a single random number

It looks like you have a = math.random(1, 20). in your loop. Put it before the loop, then it will only generate one number.

[c5cha7]

It looks like you have a = math.random(1, 20). in your loop. Put it before the loop, then it will only generate one number.

TIP:
Always put
math.randomseed(os.time() )
before a loop and a "math.random()" function!
This will stop you from gtting the same resualt
on startup of your code.

[PSPHax0r9]

TIP:
Always put
math.randomseed(os.time() )
before a loop and a "math.random()" function!
This will stop you from gtting the same resualt
on startup of your code.

Oh yea, I forgot to say all that. Thanks. That should help rookie.

[Glynnder]

yea, thats something improtant to know, i am going to use a random seed in BPPE

[ro0kie42]

The math.random() part is outside the loop. The print part is inside the loop. If I put the print part outside the loop, it doesn't print. If i put the print part inside the loop, it prints all the numbers.

[Greenskull]

is there a way to end a SPECIFIC sound? rather than using voice:stop()?

[PSPHax0r9]

is there a way to end a SPECIFIC sound? rather than using voice:stop()?

yes....voice is a variable. So give each sound a different name and say voice1:stop...voice2:stop ...etc.

[Bronx]

help!!!!!!! i am a new developer and i am using the tuts by pspmillionare and when i try to test my apps/games on my psp it always says error: no script file found.
does any1 know wat to do?
BTW- i am using luaplayer .16 on a 2.00 psp

[Greenskull]

yes....voice is a variable. So give each sound a different name and say voice1:stop...voice2:stop ...etc.

hmm I tried that but it said that "loop in gettable" thing....

[SpiderJames]

help!!!!!!! i am a new developer and i am using the tuts by pspmillionare and when i try to test my apps/games on my psp it always says error: no script file found.
does any1 know wat to do?
BTW- i am using luaplayer .16 on a 2.00 psp

I get the same exact error, but im using the windows lua player

[Bronx]

i cant test on my computer becuase i have a mac

[Greenskull]

wait, the sound loops so is that what the error means?

[TeamOverload]

What are all the sound formats supported, and are there any size limits?

[Bronx]

can any1 help me get my small app running on my psp?

[TeamOverload]

Post the code and we will try and help you out

[Bronx]

ok heres the code

green = Color.new (0, 255, 0)
Enemy = { }
Enemy[1] = { type = "gargoyle", health = 100 }
Enemy[2] = { type = "vampire", health = 100 }
Enemy[3] = { type = "goomba", health = 100 }
Enemy[4] = { type = "ghost", health = 100 }
Enemy[5] = { type = "zombie", health = 100 }
Player = { }
Player[1] = { weapon = "sword", health = 100 }
Player[2] = { weapon = "knife", health = 100 }
while true do
pad = Controls.read()
screen.clear()
screenrint(5, 10, "Player 1 Health: ".. Player[1].health,green)
screenrint(5, 20, "Player 1 Weapon: ".. Player[1].weapon,green)
screenrint(250,10,"Enemy Health: " .. Enemy[1].health,green)
screenrint(250,20,"Enemy Type: " .. Enemy[1].type,green)
if pad:cross() then
Enemy[1].health = Enemy[1].health - 5
end
screen.waitVblankStart()
screen.flip()
end

BTW- the smilies where placed in by the forum becuz but remember its really screenrint

[Bronx]

oh, and now i get the error of index.lua:1: unexpected symbol near (sumtin, i cant type it on a keyboard)

sry for double post!!!

[MexicanSnake]

is this???: screen"print(5, 20, "Player 1 Weapon: ".. Player[1].weapon,green)

try: screenprint(5, 20, "Player 1 Weapon: ".. Player[1].weapon,green)

[Bronx]

omg, i cant believe i missed that! thanks! but know i get error: index.lua:1: unexpected symbol near (little backward slash) { (little forward slash).
sry i dont now if i can type those symbols i was describing...