Statics instead of Globals.

[guinness]

Well I for one just see it as a fun little exercise. It's good to think outside of the language's as well as your own limitations once in a while.

Thanks all.

Edited February 21, 2013 by guinness

[JohnOne]

#include <Array.au3>

Struct()

MsgBox(0, "Name", Struct("name"))
MsgBox(0, "Age", Struct("age"))
MsgBox(0, "Height", Struct("height"))
MsgBox(0, "Weight", Struct("weight"))

PassMeTheStruct(Struct())

Func Struct($key = "")
    Static $created = 0
    Static $oDictionary = ObjCreate("Scripting.Dictionary")
    If Not $created Then
        $oDictionary.ADD("name", "Harry")
        $oDictionary.ADD("age", 63)
        $oDictionary.ADD("height", 5.11)
        $oDictionary.ADD("weight", 150)
        $created = 1
    EndIf

    If $key Then
        Return $oDictionary.Item($key)
    EndIf
    Return $oDictionary
EndFunc   ;==>Struct

Func PassMeTheStruct($obj)
    $items = $obj.Items
    _ArrayDisplay($items)
EndFunc

[czardas]

...this isn't doing anything other than creating a new name for a Global variable with almost none of the benefits of globals, and more work being done just to make the script harder to follow.

The technique will most likely to circumvent a number of the disadantages of using globals in Code Complete. For the most part globals are not needed. Using Static is just one possible work around, but testing is needed for comparison. There will likely be both advantages and disadvantages to uising static this way. Some of the advantages should be apparent, such as no re-entrant code problems, as listed by jaberwocky6669 in the above link.

Edited February 21, 2013 by czardas

[BrewManNH]

Some of the advantages should be apparent, such as no re-entrant code problems, as listed by jaberwocky6669 in the above link.

AutoIt is single threaded, that's not an issue here. In fact most of what he listed probably doesn't directly apply very much to AutoIt, which is what this discussion is dealing with, as well as the other thread where it was posted. If you were to talk about another language, then it would come into play.

Using OnEvent mode in a GUI script, it's very difficult to deal with a script with no Globals, because there's no parameter passing when the functions are called, you'd have to make work arounds for every single control on your GUI, and if it's detailed that could be a lot.

[MvGulik]

The concept needs testing. I think it will be a bit slower than using globals. I could be wrong though.

When really needed, you could always switch to a faster local variable copy to speed crucial code parts up. Using smart byref, when possible, could help to.

[MvGulik]

Mmm. Unless I'm doing something wrong here, there seems to be no workaround to do a Static array resize in v3.3.8.1.

Both cases do work when it comes to the array resizing part, but also trigger a critical error on the next function use after the resize of the Static

array. "==> Array maximum size exceeded."

Static_Array_Redim_3381()
Static_Array_Redim_3381(4)
Static_Array_Redim_3381() ;; *1 ==> Array maximum size exceeded.

Func Static_Array_Redim_3381($iSize = 0)
    Local Static $aArray[1] ;; *1 ==> Array maximum size exceeded.
    If $iSize > 0 And $iSize <> UBound($aArray, 1) Then
        Switch 1
            Case 1
                ByRef_Array_Redim($aArray, $iSize)
            Case 2
                Local $aArray_Copy = $aArray
                ReDim $aArray_Copy[$iSize]
                $aArray = $aArray_Copy
        EndSwitch
    EndIf
    ConsoleWrite('UBound($aArray,1) = ' & UBound($aArray, 1) & @CRLF)
EndFunc

Func ByRef_Array_Redim(ByRef $aArray, $iSize)
    ReDim $aArray[$iSize]
EndFunc

[guinness]

I went away and tried wraithdu's claim but couldn't get it to work either.

[czardas]

AutoIt is single threaded, that's not an issue here.

Two instances of the same program can interfere with each other.

When really needed, you could always switch to a faster local variable copy to speed crucial code parts up. Using smart byref, when possible, could help to.

I never used Static before.

[Myicq]

Did I understand the general idea right, that this example could be applied across scripts using something like

#include <datastore.au3>  ;; not yet existing UDF with proper procedures

getvar()   ;; initialize data storage

msgbox(0,"Test", getvar("myvar"))  ;; return content
getvar("myvar", "New content")    ;; store content

The getvar() could f.ex use an external SQLite DB file, so that variables could be used across scripts etc.

Or did I understand this concept completely wrong ?

[guinness]

I suppose so.

[wraithdu]

I went away and tried wraithdu's claim but couldn't get it to work either.

Hmm, could have sworn I've used that workaround before.

[guinness]

Maybe it was a 'bug' that was fixed but not documented?

[wraithdu]

That does seem to be another bug, since the ByRef ReDim works on 3.3.9.4 (event though it is not needed). Guess I never used it that way, oh well.

[trancexx]

I changed several aspects of Static implementation, almost rewrote it completely. Developer that initially implemented that feature got lost in logical labyrinth of the keyword.

I don't have credibility any more to talk about internal workings of AutoIt, but still if you have some script code questions I'll be glad to answer them. I don't think anybody except me can give you answers to some questions, no matter how sad that fact is.

[czardas]

I gave you the thumbs up trancexx, because I believe you, although, in truth, I'm a bit sad about the fact.

[JohnOne]

I don't think anybody except me can give you answers to some questions

How do they make rubber buttons?

[trancexx]

AutoIt is single threaded, that's not an issue here.

You are mixing thread-safe code and reentrant code. Some code can be reentrant but not thread-safe. Any other combination can occur too.

@JohnOne, that's not one of those questions

Edited February 21, 2013 by trancexx