Key for saving and load attribute

Superbuc

I'm sorry but I cannot understand how use "key" value in saving and loading attributes.
Imagine I can play with 2 different players, male and female, and each one has a score, a level as example.
Must the key be different form one to other or not ?

example:
Male Player:
attribute: score.level ; key: MALE
attribute: game.level; key: MALE

Female Player:
attribute: score.level ; key: FEMALE
attribute: game.level; key: FEMALE

Or instead a key different for each, as :

attribute: score.level ; key: SCORE.LEVEL.MALE
attribute: game.level; key: GAME.LEVEL.MALE

?

Thank you

quantumsheep

Different key for each.

Every attribute you save should have a unique key attached to it.

Remember you can only check saving on your phone through the viewer, not in preview mode on your Mac.

Additionally, the key is case sensitive. So if you use Male to save, and male to load, it won't work - they both have to be the same!

Hope that clears up any confusion!

QS

jonmulcahy

When I save values I always make the key the exact same value as the attribute I'm saving

So, if I have an attribute called lastCompletedLevel, I make my key the same name. It makes it easier to keep track of.

quantumsheep

Yep, I do exactly the same.

I also just use lowercase - easier NOT to make mistakes

QS

Superbuc

Ok, thanks, now it's more clear. Even if I don't understand why there's a key !

jonmulcahy

i think they are saving values to a back end database and the key is just the identifier. i'm not sure exactly how they are programming it, but I imagine there is a database with a table for all our values. column 1 is the primary key. column 2 is the value.

the key you create goes into the first column and needs to be unique. this is how the game engine will find the value you want to save.

that's how I imagine it anyways.

thebitmaster

It's also *very* important to realize the keys *have* to be in quotes.

"mykey"

not

mykey

The second version will causes keys to overwrite each other, which can cause major debugging headaches. I've just wasted two days because that *isn't* mentioned in the docs anywhere, and no error is flagged when it's done improperly.

gyroscope

thebitmaster said:
It's also *very* important to realize the keys *have* to be in quotes.

"mykey"

not

mykey

The second version will causes keys to overwrite each other, which can cause major debugging headaches. I've just wasted two days because that *isn't* mentioned in the docs anywhere, and no error is flagged when it's done improperly.

Wow, I didn't know that; most useful advice, thanks.

thebitmaster

Another wrinkle from GameSalad Support:

Whenever you want to type custom text into the expression editor, you need to stay away from hitting that little "e" at the end. Otherwise, GameSalad thinks it's an expression parameter and it nulls out. If you DO hit the little "e" at the end, just click "remove expression" and it should resolve your issue.

So the fix :

- Create your save/load attributes within your actors

- Type in your "levelswon" and "totalscore" keys (don't hit the "e"!)

tenrdrmer

thebitmaster said:
It's also *very* important to realize the keys *have* to be in quotes.

"mykey"

not

mykey

The second version will causes keys to overwrite each other, which can cause major debugging headaches. I've just wasted two days because that *isn't* mentioned in the docs anywhere, and no error is flagged when it's done improperly.

Where did that info come from? I have never place quotes on my keys an I have never had a game not save and load the proper info.

Also @ QS For his comment from months ago. In the preview Clicking the reset icon is the same as closing and re opening on a device. Just make sure you have previewed from the beginning otherwise clicking that reload will not work right. But that is a great quick little way to test your save an loads.

carlosacj36

use the same string as a variable and as a key, and problem solved