What does this statement do?
What does this statement even do:
1 | _G |
I mean I know it means global, but what does it mean/do to a game when ran?
2 answers
It doesn't do anything on its own, however, when you use it like this:
1 | _G.GlobalVariable = 1 |
You can use _G.GlobalVariable in every Script / LocalScript depending on which is it used in. Example: Script 1: workspace.GoodScript
1 | _G.GlobalVariable = 1 |
Script 2: workspace.OtherScript
1 | print(_G.GlobalVariable) -- Prints "1" |
Other example: Script 1: workspace.BadScript
1 | GlobalVariable = 1 |
Script 2: workspace.OtherBadScript
1 | print(GlobalVariable) -- prints "nil" |
_G is a variable (not a statement).
It's equatable to other variables like math or table, in that all it is is a predefined table.
The initial value of _G is the same across all threads & scripts, so modifying a value in the table _G in one script will also modify that key in all others (Limitations: LocalScript on any single client share one separate _G, the server has one separate _G)
Simple example of use:
In one script, NameSetter
1 | _G.zombieName = "Dave"; |
In all of the zombies in a place:
1 | while not _G.zombieName do |
2 | wait(1); |
3 | end |
4 | script.Parent.Name = _G.zombieName; |
Even though the second script never defines/changes _G.zombieName, the set from NameSetter will affect all of the zombies, and give them the value for their name.