Simple code I cant get to work + saved variable

[Ulfsaar]

Hey I'm trying to teach myself lua and im creating my first addon but I can't get this to work.

function Begin()
	if variable ~= nil then
		print(variable)
	else
		print("Type /set <text>")
	end
end

This always goes straight to print("Type /set <text>") instead of print(variable). When I type /script print(variable) it comes up fine, though so I think the problem is with this function.

[Rilgamon]

Check what value your variable has when the function is called.
Add something like this as first line in your function.

print(type(variable),variable, variable ~= nil)

Then you'll know why the interpreter decided to switch to the 'else'.

[Ulfsaar]

Shouldn't the variable come up as what I set it to before though?

[Rilgamon]

Sure, it SHOULD
But it looks that it doesnt ... looking at the code I see no error.
That means your variable ( is it global or local ? ) is probably not what
you expect it to be.

[Vilkku]

I'm a bit of a novice myself, but I'd do it the following way:

function Begin()
	if variable then
		print(variable)
	else
		print("Type /set <text>")
	end
end

Again, the first code you posted should work. Like the poster before me, check your variables.

[Xrystal]

So, are you saying that if you type print(variable) it prints a value ? Or does it show up as nil ?

As has been said, your code should work fine as it is.

What are the lines of code before the function is executed ?
As has been asked, is variable a global value ?

With your code it will only print(variable) if your variable contains a value. Hence my first question. If the variable hasn't been initialised prior to the functions execution then it will be nil so hence the else execution.

variable = nil .... go to else block...
variable = anything else go to if block ...

Vikku's example however will do something slightly different.

variable = zero, false, nil then go to else block
variable = true, non zero, any other value then go to if block

So yes, first case scenario, before the if test put that plain print statement in to see what the if test is seeing and it should answer your question.

[Seerah]

When are you checking for the value of variable? If you are checking before game has loaded your saved variables for your addon, then this is why that it is nil.

http://www.wowwiki.com/Events_that_f...oading_Process

[Ulfsaar]

Originally Posted by Seerah When are you checking for the value of variable? If you are checking before game has loaded your saved variables for your addon, then this is why that it is nil. http://www.wowwiki.com/Events_that_f...oading_Process

I checked the variable many times it was fine. If this is true then this is probably the problem, it is loading instantly on log in.