[RESOLVED] Variables and functions

[Wraithmanilian]

Hey guys and gals,

This is a newbie question, but I have to ask it. Let's say you declare a variable and want to re-use the variable and update its contents inside a function, why doesn't this work?
Example only:

var myNewArray:Object = new Object();
myNewArray.list = new Array();

function something() {
    // looping iteration of 'i'
    myNewArray.list[i] = "something";
}

. . .

function useit() {
    // yet another looping iteration of 'i'
    trace(myNewArray.list[i]);
}

Why is it that when the useit function is called, the traces all produce "undefined"?

Thanks in advance.

[AttackRabbit]

In what context are you using this code ? It could be a scope problem. Where is ' i ' being defined ?

[Wraithmanilian]

Well, the "i" was there as a representation only. I should have posted clearer code, sorry about that.

Here's a sample:

var playlistData:Object = new Object();
playlistData.list = new Array();

// il is defined elsewhere in the code from imported XML, didn't think it wise to post the entirety of the code for this example. il contains il.title and il.description


function getPlaylist() {	
	for (var i=0; i<il.length(); i++) {
		playlistData.list[i] = il.title[i];
		trace(playlistData.list[i]+"---");
	}
}

function useit() {
	for (var i=0; i<playlistData.list.length(); i++) {
		trace(playlistData.list[i]+"+++");
	}
}

When the function getPlaylist() is called, the trace shows the playlist files, one after another, like:

file1.flv---
file2.flv---
file3.flv---

However, later when the function useit() is called, the traces say:

undefined+++
undefined+++
undefined+++

I have seen many references to getChild(). I think that this has something to do with it, but I've not found a relevant example to judge from and, being new to flash as a whole, the Adobe.com snippets is a bit over my head.

Hope this clarifies the problem, and thanks.

[5TonsOfFlax]

Unless you change playlistData, the stuff you put in there should still be there later. Do you perhaps re-set playlistData, perhaps by returning to the frame in which you declare it as a new array?

[Wraithmanilian]

Geez, do I REALLY feel like a n00b now...

I have now discovered that variables are case-sensitive, and my awkward variable naming abilities caused confusion in my code.

Fellow n00bs, let my blunderings serve as a lesson for the rest of you.

AttackRabbit and 5TonsOfFlax, thanks for the patience you have to have for us newcomers to flash.