Array Has -1 index

[mcdermitt]

I have 3 arrays which are created from tags in an XML file, this part works fine.

Each index corresponds to each other, i.e. [0] of each is dashBurst (the animation), 1000 (the low damage range), and 2500 (the high damage range), respectively.

But when a function chooses dashBurst, and I use a trace statement to find it's index, it puts out -1.

This means that I can't get the damage values (specialList.indexOf('dashBurst')).

What is going on?

[Ned Murphy]

If you get a -1 as a result of using the indexOf method it means the item sought does not exist in the array.

[mcdermitt]

post.user_wrote.label:

If you get a -1 as a result of using the indexOf method it means the item sought does not exist in the array.

I found a workaround where the damage index is +1 of the frame label index and it works fine.

I traced all the array's objects and it has everything in it's proper place.

So it exists, but it doesn't see it in the array at the time of this code running.

[Ned Murphy]

You might have traced the array's objects but whatever you are using quotes for in that code line is not (cannot be) an object.  Try removing the quotes for a start if that is supposed to be an instance name.

[mcdermitt]

It is a frame label, not an instance.

I removed the quotes (except for in the actual array), and I get the same thing.

[Ned Murphy]

Have you tried using double quotes?

[mcdermitt]

I always use double quotes, it's a habit from writing. Should I be using single or double quotes more often?

[Ned Murphy]

If you always do then you missed doing it for the code you showed in the first posting for some reason.  I only use double quotes in Actionscript code.

Try tracing the array at that same point in the code to make sure your array still carries what you think it should.

[dean_hsia]

as you say, [0] is a animation instance, but specialList.indexOf('dashBurst') means looking for a String instance, right?

so you won't find 'dashBurst' in the array, but specialList[0].name is 'dashBurst'.

[nezarov]

trace(specialList[0]);

then use the result here specialList.indexOf('result');

[nezarov]

Convert the tags of the xml file to strings, however you're pushing the labels from the xml data, add ".toString();" after the node value.. example:

frameLabel[2] = xmlData.frame2.@label.toString();

[mcdermitt · Accepted solution]

Ok, it was that I hadn't put the item in the array as a string.

I'll remember that in the future, and thanks a lot!