Azeroth Grand Prix, decoded

[Uszi]

Hello all.

Interested in the ability system used in Azeroth Grand Prix map, that came out with an old patch of WC3.

If you're not familiar, in the map you drive a cart through a "Random Power Up" unit, which then gives your cart a random ability. You can hold up to 4, and the hotkeys are "a" or "s" or "d" or "f," each so each ability has 4 entities in the editor, etc.

Essentially, I'm reading through the triggers, and trying to figure them out. But I get stuck at some points. Take this example:

Spoiler

Actions
    -------- Initialize Power Up Unit Types --------
    Set PowerUpUnitTypeNum = 0
    Set PowerUpUnitTypes[PowerUpUnitTypeNum] = Mushroom
    Set PowerUpUnitTypeNum = (PowerUpUnitTypeNum + 1)
    Set PowerUpUnitTypes[PowerUpUnitTypeNum] = Poison Smoke
    Set PowerUpUnitTypeNum = (PowerUpUnitTypeNum + 1)
    Set PowerUpUnitTypes[PowerUpUnitTypeNum] = Random Power Up
    Set PowerUpUnitTypeNum = (PowerUpUnitTypeNum + 1)
    -------- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX --------
    -------- Initialize Power Up Types --------
    -------- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX --------
    Set nIndex = 0
    Set nIndexChance = 0
    Set PowerUpTypeNum = 0
    -------- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Repair Kit a
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Repair Kit s
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Repair Kit d
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Repair Kit f
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 20
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 30
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 40
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpNames[PowerUpTypeNum] = |cff80ff80Repair Kit|r
    Set PowerUpTypeNum = (PowerUpTypeNum + 1)
    -------- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Blaze a
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Blaze s
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Blaze d
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpTypes[nIndex] = Blaze f
    Set nIndex = (nIndex + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 50
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 30
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 0
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpNames[PowerUpTypeNum] = |cff80ff80Blaze|r
    Set PowerUpTypeNum = (PowerUpTypeNum + 1)
    -------- -------------------------------------------------------------
[...] 
------------------------------------------------------------- --------
    Custom script:   call DestroyTrigger( GetTriggeringTrigger() )

Err, These are what the variables are, for quick reference:

PowerUpUnitTypeNum = integer
PowerUpUnitTypes = unit-type array
PowerUpUnitTypeNum = integer
nIndex = integer
nIndexChance = integer
PowerUpTypes = ability array


Where am I confused?
Well, I don't get why we keep setting some of the integer values to one thing, and then reset them in the very next line, ie:

Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 50
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 30
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 0
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)

 

[phyrex1an]

They are not resetting any variables. They are setting different indexes of the PowerUpPickChance array, not overwriting the same one. As you can see they do

Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)

before using that variable as index again.

On a related note: If I remember right so are all tasty bits of the Azeroth Grand Prix made in jass and not with the GUI.

 

[Uszi]

They are not resetting any variables. They are setting different indexes of the PowerUpPickChance array, not overwriting the same one. As you can see they do before using that variable as index again.

Ok... So,

Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 50

This means that the initial value of nIndexChance is 50.

    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)

This takes the next nIndexChance? So it's like, nIndexChance2?

    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 30

So this means that nIndexChance2 is 30, and the first instance of nIndexChance is still 50?

    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)
    Set PowerUpPickChance[nIndexChance] = 0
    Set nIndexChance = (nIndexChance + 1)

And then we move onto the next nIndexChance, and set that one to 0?

If that's correct, then why do they do it this way? Why not have PowerUpPickChance[X] just be a number, like 0, 1, 2, or 3?

On a related note: If I remember right so are all tasty bits of the Azeroth Grand Prix made in jass and not with the GUI.

True. "Abilities Function" is a mammoth JASS trigger that exceeds the 50,000 character limit if I try to post it here.

I suppose the answer to my question is there.

I am actually trying to learn JASS now, as in reading through the tutorials. But wow... That is a big, big trigger.

 

[phyrex1an]

If that's correct, then why do they do it this way? Why not have PowerUpPickChance[X] just be a number, like 0, 1, 2, or 3?

It's easier when you want to add or remove a new value somewhere in the beginning or middle of everything. If you had used numbers you would have to change every number after the position where you are adding/removing something, with this you just have to add/remove a + 1.

I suppose the answer to my question is there.

I don't really know what your question is but I think that the map uses something similar to:
Each "ability" have 4 different warcraft abilities, they are all exactly the same but with different hotkeys (a, s, d or f). They are all "Do nothing" abilities and the effects are triggered. The only difference between the triggers here and a normal spell trigger is that instead of a single "Spell Being Cast Equals CowSpell" they have an Or condition with each spell inside. In the effect for each spell there is a "Remove Spell Being Cast". Which spell (which hotkey) to add when picking up a package depends on how many spells the unit currently has, use an integer variable to keep track.