WoWInterface - WeakAuras: Shared functions withing a dynamic group

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WeakAuras: Shared functions withing a dynamic group

Is it possible to use some kind of "global" functions in WeakAuras environment, or global to a group, or to a dynamic group but still local in terms of WoW env? I could still refer to them when creating codes in Custom Triggers or Custom Text

[TL;DR]

I have created and completed a dynamic group in WeakAuras which contains a set of progress bars, which in turn track random buffs when you apply Rogue's Roll the Bones (based on Muzgu in Wowhead). The problem is Roll the Bones produces a number of buffs out of six in total. In terms of WA, each buff works exactly the same. The only difference is the buff itself. I had to copy and paste a lot of functions and change only one line. Because I created codes for Custom Text and Custom Triggers, for each buff, it was very laborious and prone to error. It would be much more effective and optimised, if I could place the core functions somewhere else within WA environment with a single parameter "buff_name".

For instance, for the buff "Broadsides", I created functions for custom text and custom trigger "Dynamic Info". The code for other buffs, such as "Jolly Roger", "Grand Melee", "Grand Melee", "Shark Infested Waters", "True Bearing", "Restless Blades", and "Buried Treasure" is exactly the same. I only change "buff_name". Below is an example of redundant functions and the third one which would handle everything in one place.
Thanks

Custom text:

Lua Code:

-- Function for Custom Text
function()
    local buff_name = "Broadsides"
    if UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name) then
        dur, exptime = select(6, UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name))
    end
    return string.format("%.1f", max(0, dur + exptime - GetTime())), max(36, dur), true
end

Custom Trigger "Dynamic Info"

Lua Code:

-- Function for Custom Trigger Dynamic Info
function()
    local buff_name = "Broadsides"
    if UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name) then
        dur, exptime = select(6, UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name))
    end
    return max(0, dur + exptime - GetTime()), max(36, dur), true
end

Example of an optimised function:

Lua Code:

-- global function
function(buff_name, format)
    if UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name) then
        dur, exptime = select(6, UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name))
    end
    out = {max(0, dur + exptime - GetTime()), max(dur, 36), true}
    if format then
        out[1] = string.format("%.1f", out[1])
    end
    return out
end

I can't actually answer your question as I don't use WeakAuras, but you'll want to be careful about leaking your variables into the global environment:

Code:

-- Function for Custom Text

function()

    local buff_name = "Broadsides"

    if UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name) then

        dur, exptime = select(6, UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff_name))

    end

    return string.format("%.1f", max(0, dur + exptime - GetTime())), max(36, dur), true

end

You're leaking both "dur" and "exptime" as globals. Also, your function as written is raising an error any time you don't have the buff active; if you don't see the error, either you don't have anything to show error messages, or WeakAuras is wrapping your function in a pcall so it's getting hidden. I'd rewrite it like so:

lua Code:

function()
    local name = "Broadsides"
    local _, _, _, _, _, dur, exptime = UnitBuff("player", name)
    -- ^ avoid "select" if you can, function calls are expensive
    if not dur or not exptime then
        -- buff is not active, nothing to show
        return 0, 0, true
    end
    -- buff is active, do your thing
    return string.format("%.1f", max(0, dur + exptime - GetTime())), max(36, dur), true
end

edit: Actually, on the original topic, you may not be able to do what you want inside WeakAuras, but there's nothing stopping you from doing it outside of WeakAuras. Just create an addon whose name comes before "WeakAuras" in alphabetical order, and put your function in there as a global, with a nice unique name appropriate for a global:

lua Code:

function GetMyWABuff(name)
    local _, _, _, _, _, dur, exptime = UnitBuff("player", name)
    if not dur or not exptime then
        -- buff is not active, nothing to show
        return 0, 0, true
    end
    -- buff is active, do your thing
    return string.format("%.1f", max(0, dur + exptime - GetTime())), max(36, dur), true
end

...and then call it in your WeakAuras function:

lua Code:

function()
    return GetMyWABuff("Broadsides")
end

You're missing one underscore,Phanx. 6th argument is duration ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rilgamon (Post 327112)

You're missing one underscore,Phanx. 6th argument is duration ;)

Yeah, already caught that in the edit. :cool:

Thanks for you answer Phanx.

I have never done any addon before and have not a clue how to start -.- I know there is a TOC file which contains some info about. Maybe it's the time to start one ...

I did not see any error. I though testing UnitBuff() would be enough. Thanks for the comment and suggestions on leaking variables as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranekW (Post 327114)

Thanks for you answer Phanx.

I have never done any addon before and have not a clue how to start -.- I know there is a TOC file which contains some info about. Maybe it's the time to start one ..

https://addon.bool.no/ very very useful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kkthnx (Post 327116)

https://addon.bool.no/ very very useful.

That was where the "create an addon" link in my post was pointing. ;)

@FranekW: It's an online tool that creates an addon for you. All you have to do is type a name and paste in the code you want to be in it.

Thanks for the link. My addon will be super basic :) I also found WoWWiki with plenty of links and suggestions.

Just one question. If I want to check if buff exists, is it all right if I just check UnitBuff() itself, e.g.:

Lua Code:

-- code
if UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff) then
    -- code to calculate times
end

or should I always test variables returned from the function:

Lua Code:

local _, _, _, _, _, dur, exptime = UnitBuff("PLAYER", buff)
if dur and exptime then
    -- code to calculate times
end

Thanks

If you just want to show that you have the buff, then yes, the first way will work.

If you want to show how much time is left on the buff, or any other information about it other than "it exists", then the only way to do that is by capturing the values returned by UnitBuff.