Splitting a value

[Asholay]

I'm saving a Global Value as a 4 digit number to represent 4 different resource values you collect when you collide with a special resource block.

The 4 digits represent a modifier to each of your 4 resources, e.g. 1221 would translate into +1 gold, +2 for blue & green and +1 purple.

When you collide with the special block, I'm adding the Global value to the resource, but taking just the appropriate digit - so on your gold counter, I need the first digit of the global value, for blue I need the 2nd digit.

How can I do this with a simple expression, and without converting to a string or use fast loops. Also this is an XNA project, so I have access to limited extensions.


edit: I tried it with a string conversion and it works okay (add to counter: Val(Mid$(Str$(Global Value), 0, 1))), but is this bad coding? Converting a value to a string, taking part of that string and reconverting to a value..? Seems a bit roundabout to me and I'm trying to avoid clogging the engine again.

[DistantJ]

I was going to say to use Val and Str$ as well, it's the simplest way and a decent expression. It can also be done with math but I would be worried about it rounding up from a decimal point and some numbers coming out wrong.

Have you considered using a global string instead? Using Str$ when appending to it and Val when retrieving?

[Asholay]

Ah, that's a good way of taking one of the processes out, cheers.

[gkinfinity]

I just made a quick and poorly done example. Is this what you're looking for?

[Asholay]

Nice one gkinfinity - I was worried that dividing and multiplying would have rounding issues, but your method is absolutely spot on! Thanks for taking the time to make an example.

[gkinfinity]

You're welcome! I'm pretty sure the decimal is completely truncated so I don't think it'll be a problem.

[DistantJ]

If that's the case then the math way is even better! I was worried that for example 1469 would come out as 1, 4, 7, 9 due to rounding up the resulting .9

[Danny]

You could just use a String to store the values with a delimiter... would be much easier and faster.

#1#2#2#1 (Get Element)1,2,3,4

[DistantJ]

Danny's method is handy because you can have however many digits you want per each of the 4 values, but it depends what exporters you are using, you need to make sure there is a function to "explode" the string or read it off in an extension compatible with your chosen runtime. It can be done with fast loops but then it becomes kinda inefficient.

[Asholay]

If that's the case then the math way is even better! I was worried that for example 1469 would come out as 1, 4, 7, 9 due to rounding up the resulting .9

I was as well, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get infinity's example to give a flawed reading!

You could just use a String to store the values with a delimiter... would be much easier and faster.

#1#2#2#1 (Get Element)1,2,3,4

I was trying to avoid external extensions because I'm worried of bugs creeping in, and the more I stick to simple in-built solutions the better, but if you're suggesting it would perform quicker then I'm certainly in favour.

Actually Danny, I had another performance question - you know in my file, I've got the garage screens split into 2 - one which shows the upgrade on your toolbar, and the other which shows the price of the upgrade - I was thinking of switching the smaller box to a single active which appears & disappears (as a 'backdrop') and 4 counters for the 4 resources. This way I can grab the price data from the array, and won't have to redraw everything when I make balance tweaks.

The question is, which do you think is better for performance? Lots of active frames being loaded into the game and switched, or 4 counters per player. I would be taking over 100 images out of the game by switching to the counter method, but I assume counters are a little hungrier? (bearing in mind this is XNA)