the timer.scheduleFunction to call a function with multiple arguments

[AKA_Clutter]

HI All,

I am trying to use the timer.scheduleFunction to call a function, but to call it with multiple arguments, (Group_Name, GRP_Size_Prob).  I have tried enclosing the multiple arguments in both () and {}, and it always gives an error when it gets to local Current_Group = Group.getByName(Group_Name) in the called function.  The code runs fine if I call it with just one argument, Group_Name.

 

Below is a simplified version, and following that more of the code (not the full listing)

Please keep in mind that I am a noob at lua/programing/DCS API.

Thanks,

Clutter

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timer.scheduleFunction(Adjust_Num_Units_In_Group, {Group_Name, 0.25}, timer.getTime() + Group_Time + 1) 

function Adjust_Num_Units_In_Group (Group_Name, GRP_Size_Prob)               -- Function to determine if the group has 2 of 4 planes, and then delete planes 3 and 4

  local Current_Group = Group.getByName(Group_Name)            -- CHeck to see if the group exist.

  if not Current_Group then return end                             -- no such group

 

  local size = Current_Group:getSize()                        -- how many in group

 

…

end

 

timer.scheduleFunction(Adjust_Num_Units_In_Group, {Group_Name, 0.25}, timer.getTime() + Group_Time + 1)

 

-- change (F_A2A_LAG_1 ~= nil) to (LAG1 ~= nil) and retry -2/12/23 still to test

function Adjust_Num_Units_In_Group (Group_Name, GRP_Size_Prob)               -- Function to determine if the group has 2 of 4 planes, and then delete planes 3 and 4
  local Current_Group = Group.getByName(Group_Name)            -- CHeck to see if the group exist.
  if not Current_Group then return end                             -- no such group 
  
  local size = Current_Group:getSize()                        -- how many in group
  
  if size >=3 then
   local Size_Prob_Calc = math.random()
       if (Size_Prob_Calc > GRP_Size_Prob) then
      for i= 3, size do 
       local allUnits = Current_Group:getUnits()
       if not allUnits then return end -- sanity check
       trigger.action.outText("Group " .. Current_Group:getName() .. " has " .. size .. " units and I will remove unit number " .. i, 30)
       local unitToRemove = allUnits[i]
       unitToRemove:destroy()                                                                               -- remove it from game
      end
    else
    trigger.action.outText("Group " .. Current_Group:getName() .. " has " .. size .. " units and none will be removed", 30)
   end      
     else
     trigger.action.outText("Group " .. Current_Group:getName() .. " has " .. size .. " units and none will be removed", 30)      
  end  
end

function Spawn_A2A_LAG (Group_Name, Group_Prob, Group_Time)
--[[
     Group_Name,  A2A_LAG_TBL[1][1]
     Group_Prob,  A2A_LAG_TBL[1][2]
     Group_Time   A2A_LAG_TBL[1][3]

--]]
  local Current_Group = Group.getByName(Group_Name)
  if (Current_Group ~= nil) then
    local x= math.random()
    if (x <= Group_Prob) then
  --    trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(2,MSG_Header .. "A2A_LAG_1 will  be spawned.  Probability is " .. x .. MSG_Footer, 15)
      timer.scheduleFunction(F_A2A_LAG_1, Current_Group, timer.getTime() + Group_Time)             -- Activate Enemy CAP flight group 1
  --    trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(2,"\n====================\n\n    TSS_A2A_LAG_1 is " .. TSS_A2A_LAG_1 .. "!\n\n====================", 10)
      A2A_Count = A2A_Count +1                                                             -- Increment A2A counter
      TBL_A2A_LAG_Times[A2A_Count] = math.floor((Group_Time/60)*100)/100                                         -- Add LAG start time to table - Convert to minutes
      timer.scheduleFunction(Adjust_Num_Units_In_Group, {Group_Name, 0.25}, timer.getTime() + Group_Time + 1)             -- Line to adjust units in A2A_LAG group based on a given probability
     else
      trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(2,MSG_Header .. "A2A_LAG_1 will not be spawned, Probability is " .. x  .. MSG_Footer, 15)
    end
  end
end
-- End of function Spawn_A2A_LAG

for i = 1, 2 do
  A2A_LAG_Spawn = Spawn_A2A_LAG (A2A_LAG_TBL[i][1], A2A_LAG_TBL[i][2], A2A_LAG_TBL[i][3])
  -- A2A_LAG_2 = Spawn_A2A_LAG (A2A_LAG_TBL[2][1], A2A_LAG_TBL[2][2], A2A_LAG_TBL[2][3])
end

 

[Grimes]

Suppose the easiest way is to build the function you are calling to accept a table.

function test(var)
  env.info(var[1])
  env.info(var[2])
end

timer.scheduleFunction(test, {"Hello", "World"}, timer.getTime() + 2)

You can also name the variables. 

function test(var)
  env.info(var.groupName)
  env.info(var.groupSize)
end

timer.scheduleFunction(test, {groupName = "Whatever", groupSize = 47}, timer.getTime() + 2)

 

[AKA_Clutter]

Thanks, I'll give that a go.  Knew there had to be a way.

 

DO I need to use "env.info" or is that just part of the example.

 

Edited February 28, 2023 by AKA_Clutter

[Grimes]

Part of the example, it just prints whatever the values are to the log. It is showing how to access each value though. Table index[1] if the table is indexed numerically or by var.keyName if the table entries have keys. 

[TJTAS]

I thought scheduled functions had to have a return in them?

[cfrag]

53 minutes ago, TJTAS said:

I thought scheduled functions had to have a return in them?

Only if you wish them to be called again. In that case, return the number of seconds + timer.getTime() for the next invocation.

In all other cases, return either nil, or nothing, which is the same.

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by cfrag