A couple of quick ZScript questions

[Rifleman]

Hi guys,

 

I need some advice. Tried to search, tried using AI, but no dice. I'm sure some genius here will know right away...:)

First, I see code like this a lot, where a random number is generated using the name of the class and I don't get how it works, what numbers are 'being used' to pick. A piece of Heresiarch's code as an example:
 

void A_StopBalls()
    {
        int chance = random[Heresiarch]();
        args[3] = SORC_STOPPING;                // stopping mode
        args[1] = 0;                            // Reset rotation counter

        if ((args[0] <= 0) && (chance < 200))
        {
            StopBall = "SorcBall2";    // Blue
        }
        else if((health < (SpawnHealth() >> 1)) && (chance < 200))
        {
            StopBall = "SorcBall3";    // Green
        }
        else
        {
            StopBall = "SorcBall1";    // Yellow
        }
    }

 

And second, again using Heresiarch's code - is there a way to use this function, but set the z offset to spawn the projectile higher?

 

mo = parent.SpawnMissileAngle(cls, ang1, 4.);

 

I know there is SpawnMissileAngleZ function, but there is no description on the wiki and I am not sure it's supposed to do what I think. No matter what I set the first argument of it to, I see no projectiles in game.

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

[jaeden]

 

34 minutes ago, Rifleman said:

First, I see code like this a lot, where a random number is generated using the name of the class and I don't get how it works, what numbers are 'being used' to pick.

 

random() without parameters should return an integer between 0 and 255.

The [Heresiarch] identifier just make the RNG call independent on other RNG calls (that have different identifier or no identifier).

 

 

35 minutes ago, Rifleman said:

And second, again using Heresiarch's code - is there a way to use this function, but set the z offset to spawn the projectile higher?

 

You can simply use A_SpawnProjectile, which is customizable and well documented on wiki. (use CMF_AIMDIRECTION flag to make it behave more like SpawnMissileAngle).