Where to declare/initialize

naockovich

Hi, I've just started processing. I can't understand where to declare and where to initialize variables. Here is a specific example of what I'm asking about. If global variables were effective over the whole program tree, why can't I declare and initialize "float d" at the same time as a global variable? (just like int x=120, int y=60, int radius=12) I'm not a native English speaker, so if my question is not clear, please let me know.

TfGuy44

On the left, you have a local variable that is created new every time draw runs. You can not access the value of d outside of draw, and once draw ends, the variable is gone.

In the middle, you have a global variable, In draw, you assign this global variable a value, which changes as the mouse moves, and it updated every time draw runs.

On the right, you have a global variable again, which stores a single value. This time, however, the value is never updated once it is set! The variable is not "re-computing" the expression you've "assigned" to it - you assign it a value, not an expression. This isn't what you want.

If you want to use d in other functions, go with the middle.

If you don't, go with the left. Or, forget about using d entirely, and compare dist(mouseX,mouseY,x,y) with radius directly:

if ( dist(mouseX,mouseY,,y)<radius ) {

koogs

In 3rd picture the other variables are constants, so their value is known by the compiler when it sees them. Line 4, however, is calling a method to set the value so the value isn't known, isn't constant.

GoToLoop

• Any variable declared outside any curly braces is called a field, a.K.a. "global".
• Otherwise it is local to the curly braces' scope.
• If it happens to have the same name as a field, the latter is temporarily overshadowed by the former within that scope.

koogs

In the first picture, d isn't global, it is scoped to draw () and only available within draw ().

In the second picture, d does have global scope and is available everywhere.

In general it's a good idea to limit a variable's scope as much as possible, keeps things neat.

Chrisir

the line

d = dist(mouseX...............

must be in draw()

it is not enough to call it once;

you must call it again and again (this is what draw() does).

Remark

so d = dist(mouseX............... is

• a one time command you have to call again and again

• it is not a standing order or a rule that the sketch would automatically do forever once you said it

as has been said.

;-)

koogs

ah, beaten to it by TfGuy44. in my defence it was 5:25AM where i was 8)

naockovich

Thank you all. So, commands in the global field are processed only one time and I can't assign variables to variables in the field.(not sure this sentence makes sense) I think the problem is solved! :)

Chrisir

well 1st part is correct (commands only once)

2nd part is wrong (about the assignement)

;-)

Chrisir

besides, nobody says field vars (except gotoloop), they are global vars.

naockovich

Oh, the second part is wrong!? I'll go over again. Thanks ;;)

quark

As GoToLoop pointed out

Any variable declared outside any curly braces is called a field, a.K.a. "global".

This perfectly true in Processing they are generally called global variables. in Java they are called fields or attributes.

Since the Processing language is based on Java then all 3 terms describe the same thing.

naockovich

Thank you, quark. I had totally mixed up those expressions.