[1.18] What is the proper way of defining data values for entities?

[Myxtro]

I have a few questions regarding entities.

Whenever I spawn an entity (with a spawn egg at least) the defineSynchedData() function can't read data values that are being set in the constructor.

So I have two questions:

1) What is the proper way of defining data values which can change for each individual entity (like a hunger counter)

2) What is the proper way of defining data values that won't change, and are the same for each instance of the same entity class (like a max food level)

Edited August 31, 2022 by Myxtro
typo

[warjort]

25 minutes ago, Myxtro said:

I have a few questions regarding entities.

Whenever I spawn an entity (with a spawn egg at least) the defineSynchedData() function can't read data values that are being set in the constructor.

Since you don't show the code you tried and/or post the error, your question is unanswerable. We have no psychic powers.

SynchedEntityData is used to send your entity instance data to the client. I am not sure of relevance for spawning entities, which should happen on the server?

https://forge.gemwire.uk/wiki/Networking_with_Entities

 

Quote

1) What is the proper way of defining data values which can change for each individual entity (like a hunger counter)

2) What is the proper way of defining data values that won't change, and are the same for each instance of the same entity class (like a max food level)

There are many different ways, which you use depends upon the use case, e.g.

* public static final fields to hold values that never change

* instance fields which may or may not be synched to the client and usually persisted to disk in add/readAdditionalSaveData()

* entity attributes that store values that can be modified by things like enchants or mob effects (e.g. max health, armor rating, etc.)

* writing your own entity capability for storing data on other people's entities

[Myxtro]

5 hours ago, warjort said:

* public static final fields to hold values that never change

This is probably the way I want to go with. But how would I do this in the scenario where I have an abstract class where the field must be known (so methods can use it) but not yet have a value. Where in the implementing class should I assign a value to the field? I have tried this setup but it doesn't seem to work:

 

//in the abstract class
public static int maxFood;

//In the constructor of the implementing class
maxFood = 100000;

 

[warjort]

This is basic java, your question has nothing to do with forge or minecraft

 

You can't use a static field if it varies by subclass. Static fields are not polymorphic..

public abstract class AbstractClass {
    public int getMaxFood () {
         return 10000; // default value
    }
}

public class ConcreteClass extends AbstractClass {
    @Override
    public int getMaxFood () {
         return 20000; // different value for this class
    }
}

AbstractClass x = ...;
x.getMaxFood(); // will vary by the class of x

I would suggest you find something to help you learn java.