Arrays are equal to empty strings

[rbhkamal]

Is this a bug?

Local $array[1] = ["KUKU"]
Local $emptyString = ""

If $array == $emptyString Then
    ConsoleWrite( "$array == $emptyString " & @CRLF )
EndIf

Output:

>"C:\Program Files\AutoIt3\SciTE\AutoIt3Wrapper\AutoIt3Wrapper.exe" /run /prod /ErrorStdOut /in "C:\Documents and Settings\###\Desktop\tmp.au3" /autoit3dir "C:\Program Files\AutoIt3" /UserParams    
+>13:39:11 Starting AutoIt3Wrapper v.1.10.1.14    Environment(Language:0409  Keyboard:00000409  OS:WIN_XP/Service Pack 3  CPU:X86  ANSI)
>Running AU3Check (1.54.14.0)  from:C:\Program Files\AutoIt3
+>13:39:11 AU3Check ended.rc:0
>Running:(3.3.0.0):C:\Program Files\AutoIt3\autoit3.exe "C:\Documents and Settings\###\Desktop\tmp.au3"    
$array == $emptyString 
+>13:39:11 AutoIT3.exe ended.rc:0
+>13:39:12 AutoIt3Wrapper Finished
>Exit code: 0    Time: 1.985

Thanks

[picaxe]

Is this a bug?

No, the compare should be

If $array[0] == $emptyString Then

a previously undeclared var such as $array will have a null string value.

[Melba23]

rbhkamal,

As someone with your number of posts should know, you must use an index when referring to array elements:

Local $array[1] = ["KUKU"]
Local $emptyString = ""

If $array[0] == $emptyString Then
    ConsoleWrite( "$array == $emptyString " & @CRLF )
Else
    ConsoleWrite( "$array <> $emptyString " & @CRLF )
EndIf

M23

[rbhkamal]

Thanks everyone.... but you jumped into a conclusion too quickly. My point is that an array should NOT be equal to a non-array variable.

In my case, I have a function that returns an array on success and empty string on failure.

I was checking for errors using $returnValue == "" but that was always true. The workaround was to use isArray($returnValue), which is perfectly fine.

But is AutoIt supposed to behave this way?

Edited August 4, 2009 by rbhkamal

[Melba23]

rbhkamal,

you jumped into a conclusion too quickly

Then make your question clear in your post and we will not waste our time answering stupid posts. >_<

Is the function in question one of your own functions or a built-in AutoIt function?

If the former, rewrite your function to set @error for a failure return.

If the latter, read the Help file to see if @error is set for a failure return - which it almost certainly will be. If it is not, then think about a bug report.

M23

[picaxe]

Thanks everyone.... but you jumped into a conclusion too quickly. My point is that an array should NOT be equal to a non-array variable.

In my case, I have a function that returns an array on success and empty string on failure.

Perhaps a better example would have drawn a better conclusion.

[rbhkamal]

rbhkamal,

Then make your question clear in your post and we will not waste our time answering stupid posts. >_<

Is the function in question one of your own functions or a built-in AutoIt function?

If the former, rewrite your function to set @error for a failure return.

If the latter, read the Help file to see if @error is set for a failure return - which it almost certainly will be. If it is not, then think about a bug report.

M23

Don't be angry.... relax.

Its a very simple question. Should the following be true of false?

[ '', '', '' ] == ''

I think it should return false, but autoIt return True, the content of the array is irrelevant. Is this a bug?

[PsaltyDS]

Thanks everyone.... but you jumped into a conclusion too quickly. My point is that an array should NOT be equal to a non-array variable.

In my case, I have a function that returns an array on success and empty string on failure.

I was checking for errors using $returnValue == "" but that was always true. The workaround was to use isArray($returnValue), which is perfectly fine.

But is AutoIt supposed to behave this way?

Yes, that's exactly how it is supposed to work. So is this:

$a = 0
$b = "xyz"
If $a = $b Then
    ConsoleWrite("True" & @LF)
Else
    ConsoleWrite("False" & @LF)
EndIf

AutoIt does some automatic variable type translation for you, but this has consequences. The lesson is to be aware of variable types and especially cautious comparing different types.

>_<

[rbhkamal]

So autoIt converts my array into an empty string and then does the comparison?

[trancexx]

So autoIt converts my array into an empty string and then does the comparison?

Because you use == operator AutoIt does String(left side), then String(right side) and then compare.

[rbhkamal]

Because you use == operator AutoIt does String(left side), then String(right side) and then compare.

I see.

Thanks!