Condition Expressions

Condition expressions are the backbone of decision-making in the Alacrity library. They form the logical core that dictates when buffs and modifiers are applied to entities. These expressions, crafted with precision, allow you to imbue your game with complex and dynamic behaviors.

In this chapter, we delve into the intricacies of condition expressions within Alacrity. We'll explore their syntax, capabilities, and practical applications. As you navigate through this technical guide, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how to harness the power of condition expressions to create sophisticated and responsive gameplay experiences.

The Role of Condition Expressions

At their essence, condition expressions are logical statements written in Lua. They serve as the criteria that must be satisfied for a specific action to occur. These actions can include applying a buff to an entity, triggering a modifier, or determining the outcome of an in-game event.

Lua-Powered Logic

Lua, a lightweight and efficient scripting language, is the driving force behind of Alacrity's condition expressions. With its expressive syntax and extensibility, Lua provided a robust foundation for creating complex logic.

📝 Note

Alacrity makes use of Luau a more secure and versatile Lua version developed by Roblox for Condition expressions, Lua Specs and Lua API.

Dynamic Behavior

Condition expressions allow your game to respond dynamically to in-game events and entity states. They empower you to create conditional logic that adapts to changing circumstances, enhancing player immersion and engagement.

In the following sections, we will delve into the technical details of Alacrity's condition expression language. We will explore the available operators, functions and best practices for crafting effective and efficient conditions.

With a firm grasp of condition expressions, you'll be well-equipped to implement beautiful gameplay mechanics, responsive AI behaviors and bring your game world to life within the Alacrity framework.

Expression Evaluation

Alacrity evaluates condition expressions against a given scope and determines whether the conditions are met. The evaluation process serves to answer the fundamental question: Should a particular action, such as applying a buff or modifier take place?.

The Evaluation Process

The evaluation process has several steps, we are breaking down it step by step so you can understand better how a Condition is internally evaluated in Alacrity.

1. Lua Environment Initialization

Alacrity initializes a new mlua environment that serves as a workspace for evaluating condition expressions.

2. Binding the Scope

The Scope represents the entity's current state, is bound to the Lua environment as self. This binding allows the condition expression to access and assess the entity's attributes and properties.

Any attribute or property attached to the entity can be accessed using the dot [.] notation in the self special variable. For example:

self.level >= 10

3. Expression Evaluation

The method loads the condition expression and evaluates it within the Lua environment. This evaluation results in a boolean value that indicates wether the condition is met.

4. Comparison with Expected Result

The evaluated result is compared to the expected result, which is defined by the [Logical Operator] field of the condition. If the evaluated result matches the expected result, the condition is considered met and true is returned. Otherwise if there is a mismatch, false is returned.

Available Operators and Functions

Alacrity's condition expressions support a range of operators and functions, empowering you to craft intricate logic. These include:

Comparison Operators

You can use operators like == (equals), ~= (not equals), < (less than), > (greater than), <= (less than or equal to), and >= (greater than or equal) to compare values.

Logical Operators

Logical operators such as and, or and not enable you to create complex conditional statements.

Mathematical Operations

You can perform mathematical calculations within condition expressions using operators like + (addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication) and / (division).

Functions

Any function present in Luau library can be used in the Condition expressions.

Best Practices for Efficient Conditions

Creating efficient conditions is crucial for maintaining optimal game performance. Consider the following best practices when creating Conditions.

Minimize Complexity

Keep condition expressions as simple as possible. Complex conditions can lead to performance bottlenecks.

Avoid Heavy Computation

Limit intensive calculations within conditions, as they can impact gameplay responsiveness.