Ability to test for "nil"

[DaveSCUSA]

There is a function and a facility, I believe, that would be most helpful to users who are building a cockpit.

Function - The ability to test a variable for "nil" value or empty. To find if LVars have been loaded, I tried testing an LVar for a "nil" or less than one. Obviously there is an Lua ERROR. Or setting a variable to when the LVars and Input Events are loaded.

Facility - It would be most useful if there were a document that explained step by step of how all FSUIPC7 functions are executed. When Luas are loaded, when profiles are loaded, when the aircraft is loaded, when the aircraft is ready to fly. It would help some sophisticated Lua programming to know when items are available to use.

The following code gets an error.

                        if ipc.getLvarID("L:AS3000_IsLocalVarDefined")  ==  nil  or 
                                ipc.getLvarID("L:AS3000_IsLocalVarDefined")  <  1  then
                            (statements)
                        end

    99719 *** LUA Error: C:\FSUIPC7\C700_InitLVars.lua:24: attempt to call field 'getLvarID' (a nil value)

Thanks

[John Dowson]

7 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

The following code gets an error.

                        if ipc.getLvarID("L:AS3000_IsLocalVarDefined")  ==  nil  or 
                                ipc.getLvarID("L:AS3000_IsLocalVarDefined")  <  1  then
                            (statements)
                        end

    99719 *** LUA Error: C:\FSUIPC7\C700_InitLVars.lua:24: attempt to call field 'getLvarID' (a nil value)

That is because the function is ipc.getLvarId, and not ipc.getLvarID - i.e. lower-case D at the end. Lua functions are case sensitive, although I do sometimes allow for other cases.
Again, PLEASE check these things on the documentation before posting and you would find your mistake.

10 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

There is a function and a facility, I believe, that would be most helpful to users who are building a cockpit.

Function - The ability to test a variable for "nil" value or empty. To find if LVars have been loaded, I tried testing an LVar for a "nil" or less than one. Obviously there is an Lua ERROR. Or setting a variable to when the LVars and Input Events are loaded.

You can already do this.

11 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

Facility - It would be most useful if there were a document that explained step by step of how all FSUIPC7 functions are executed

What does this ('functions are executed') mean? I see no need to provide any further documentation, and you don't seem to be looking at the documentation already provided. Start with that before asking for further documentation. Why is the current documentation not sufficient?
Cockpit builders have been using FSUIPC for > 15 years with the current documentation...

11 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

When Luas are loaded

This depends. Luas are generally loaded when you start them. Auto luas are loaded once the initial lvar list have been received (when using the WASM) or when the aircraft is loaded when not using the WASM. For other luas (ipcinit.lua, ipcready.lua), see the lua plug-in document.

18 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

when profiles are loaded

Profiles are loaded once an aircraft is loaded.

19 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

when the aircraft is loaded, when the aircraft is ready to fly.

That is determine by MSFS, not FSUIPC.

19 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

It would help some sophisticated Lua programming to know when items are available to use.

There are many sophisticated lua programmers who get along quite well as it is.

I see no point in continuing this thread, sorry.

John

[DaveSCUSA]

You Said:

What does this ('functions are executed') mean? I see no need to provide any further documentation, and you don't seem to be looking at the documentation already provided. Start with that before asking for further documentation. Why is the current documentation not sufficient? Cockpit builders have been using FSUIPC for > 15 years with the current documentation...

I say you will prpbably bar me from the sire for saying this.

Europe has a stronger CANCEL culture than the USA (and we're bad). Have worked allover the world in Asia as well as Eurompe and the USA. European software providers tend to put out products that are not ready (how about MSFS) and have no patience for the user. If this software was free, no one would have a complaint. 

But you have no idea how many FSUIPC7 users are disatified and end up using SPAD.NeXt or Mobiflight. The only reason I use FSUIPC is for the keypress functions. USA users would have no patience for the quality of documentation. You said to look in the Lua Plug-ins documentation, I certainly will.

However, the two items I was looking for from ('functions are executed') was what is the sequence of strategix execution of events from..................................................

I have been using FSUIPC7 long before you took over from your father. So, 15 years is not much.

Oh the hell with it, you wouldn't listen anyway.

There is no overall view of the documentation other than the file names. Do you expect everyone to memorize the docs? An over view document with subject detail of the information in each documernt or an FSUIPC7 index would be helpful.

I quit. 

If your documentation was so great, whay are there so many basic questions. As I said, if it were free, who would complain.

[John Dowson]

15 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

However, the two items I was looking for from ('functions are executed') was what is the sequence of strategix execution of events from..................................................

I still have no idea what you mean...

16 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

But you have no idea how many FSUIPC7 users are disatified and end up using SPAD.NeXt or Mobiflight.

You have a choice - use these if you find them easier, and if you prefer their support. There is also Axis-and-Ohs. The choice is yours.

17 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

Oh the hell with it, you wouldn't listen anyway.

Really?

17 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

If your documentation was so great, whay are there so many basic questions. As I said, if it were free, who would complain.

I also support the freeware version. And I know the documentation could do with a good update. There is so much to  do, I have limited time, a 5-year+ backlog of improvements and updates. But spending 6 hours a day on support leaves little time left for keeping up with MSFS/P3D updates, let alone adding more functionality, improving documentation, etc
The documentation is what it is, but I try and improve it all the time on feedback from users. There are also other resources - these forums, including the history of questions asked (many hundreds of times for each issue...), the FAQ section, the User Contributions. The information is out there, you just need to look.,

And you need to understand Lua if using lua. Consult the Lua documentation. I provide ONLY the additional documentation on the lua functions I implement. This error:

3 hours ago, DaveSCUSA said:

    99719 *** LUA Error: C:\FSUIPC7\C700_InitLVars.lua:24: attempt to call field 'getLvarID' (a nil value)

is from the Lua interpreter. It is basically telling you that  'getLvarID' doesn't exist (its a nil value). The first thing you need to do when you see such an error is consult the documentation as it indicates a misspelling or a case issue (Lua IS case-sensitive).

26 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

I quit. 

That would save me a lot of time!

Take care - and listen to yourself, you need to chill.

John