[Other] Flags or Variables?

[NiKaNoRoU]

Hello all, I've started to learn scripting recently, as it will fill a huge gap in my potential and let me start considering myself a 'hacker'. I've been reading HackMew's guide, the one attached to XSE (which is pretty nice, and I wonder why there are several tutorials out there, since that guide covers up several contents better than them), and so far I've reached the variable stage (not very advanced, and a slow reader, am I...), and that last part made me wonder: would variables be better in scripts than flags?

Let's leave out all the flags that are necessarily used (gym badges, etc), and have unused flags as well as unused variables in a debate.

Now, flags are more like a yes/no texbox, not shown of course, afaik.
Variables, on the other hand, have more functions that allow them to be more like an invisible multibox, but seem more complicated as well, mostly for a script that has only two options.

this debate now is about, which one do you use more? [provided there is a fixed amount of scripts]

Mm, I guess I still need to learn a few things before I state my personal opinion. But I guess more advanced people can state their own, since I'm so curious as to whether flags or variables are more useful in a script.

Cheers.

 

[Pokepal17]

Well, I would usually use flags but if the scripts are linked to each other in a way, I would usually use variables.

 

[Spherical Ice]

Well, I would usually use flags but if the scripts are linked to each other in a way, I would usually use variables.

In a nutshell, yeah.

I normally use variables if I need to do more than one thing with it, but if it's only one thing I need to do with it, I'll use flags, "it" being whatever I'm setting the variable or flag for.

 

[Samike360]

Out of habit I use flags- because I've always been using them :P

 

[colcolstyles]

You can't really compare the two because they're used for different things. Flags are boolean data types and thus can only be set to true or false while Variables are halfwords and can store numbers up to 65,535. So the two aren't interchangeable at all. You could use variables in the place of flags but, as I see it, it would be pointless and wasteful.

 

[NarutoActor]

Exactly, I use flags when it is appropriate and use vars when appropriate. Why use a var when a flag could be used. It waste space (more paramounts with vars) Why waist a perfectly good var, when you can use a flag.

 

[NiKaNoRoU]

You can't really compare the two because they're used for different things. Flags are boolean data types and thus can only be set to true or false while Variables are halfwords and can store numbers up to 65,535. So the two aren't interchangeable at all. You could use variables in the place of flags but, as I see it, it would be pointless and wasteful.

But it's still doable, and thus makes them competitive. Be it pointless and wasteful.

 

[Zeffy]

I use flags most of the time, while I use variables mostly for level scripts and such. I can't really compare the two, so I choose both. :3

 

[Logan]

Because of level scripting a lot, I've gotten into the habit of using variables more often than flags.

 

[FoggyDoggy]

I like maths, and Itend to use Variables MUCH more often then flags. I end up comparing tons of things for scripts...
Heck, features in my hack that I would be making if it werent for my PC use variables to function properly...

 

[Muffin™]

Doesn't this go into the forum "Rom-Hacking"?

 

[NiKaNoRoU]

Doesn't this go into the forum "Rom-Hacking"?

Wasn't it there right from the start? o.o

 

[Zeturic]

It really depends on the script. If it is a really complicated script or is related to a lot of other scripts, then variables are better. Flags are usable in simpler scripts.

Also, there are a lot more variables and they can do more things. But flags are necessary to have things disappear. It depends on the situation.

 

[HackMew]

Both are useful and both should be used when appropriate. They're not fully interchangeable. Period.

Also, there are a lot more variables and they can do more things.

That's not really true. Flags are 0x1-0x3FFF. Variables are 0x4000-0x7FFF plus the temp ones.

 

[iTeruri]

Variables for level scripts and normal (step-on) scripts, flags for anything else.