# MQ2DataVars **MQ2Data was designed so that accessing information could be done utilizing a uniform system. User variables are treated as MQ2Data** [**Top-Level Objects**](/macroquest/data-types-and-top-level-objects/top-level-objects.md)**.** ## Variable Basics 1. Default *scope* is local 2. Default *type* is string 3. Default *value* is nothing (empty string or 0) ### Scopes * **global** Variables of global scope ALWAYS exist until they are deleted or MacroQuest ends * **outer** Variables of outer scope exist while a macro is running * **local** (default) Variables of local scope only exist while within a macro function or "Sub" ### Types Variables can be declared as any of the types in [Data Types](/macroquest/data-types-and-top-level-objects/data-types.md). The default type is string. ### Names Only the following characters are allowed in the name of a variable: \[a-z]\[A-Z]\[0-9]\_ Name lookup is case insensitive. ## Manipulating Variables ### Declaring Variables are declared (initially defined) in the following format: ```bash /declare varname|varname[array extents] [type] [local|global|outer] [defaultvalue] ``` The parameters must be given in order, but any after *varname* may be skipped to use the default. **Some Examples** 1. This creates an int variable named MyVar that exists while the macro is running: ``` /declare MyVar int outer ``` This creates a string variable named MyVar that exists within the Sub it was created in: ``` /declare MyVar local ``` This creates a timer named MyTime that is set to 3000 at creation and exists while the macro is running: ``` /declare MyTimer timer outer 3000 ``` ### Arrays To create an array, attach square brackets to the end of the variable name and place in it the number of elements per dimension. **Array Examples** 1. This creates a single-dimension local array of int with 10 elements (1-10) all 0: ``` /declare MyArray[10] int ``` This creates a 2-dimensional 10x10 elements(1-10,1-10) int array of scope outer with all values of 5: ``` /declare MyArray[10,10] int outer 5 ``` This creates a 3-dimensional array with 4x5x6 elements (1-4,1-5, 1-6) with UNDEFINED-ARRAY-ELEMENT in each location: ``` /declare MyArray[4,5,6] string outer UNDEFINED-ARRAY-ELEMENT ``` There is no limit to the number of dimensions or the number of elements in each dimension but use your own good judgment. **Note:** You cannot make an array of timers. ### Deleting Variables [/deletevar](/macroquest/commands/macro-commands/deletevar.md) is used to delete variables. Examples: 1. Deletes the variable varname. Using \* global will delete all global variables: ``` /deletevar varname [* global] ``` Sets a variable directly to a new value. Keep in mind that the type itself may reject this value depending on what you give it. ``` /varset varname [newvalue] ``` To clear the value of the variable, you may omit the new value. ### Setting/Changing Variables [/varset](/macroquest/commands/macro-commands/varset.md) is used to set or change a variable. Examples: 1. This concatenates (joins one to the other) "stuff" to the end a string variable: ``` /varset MyString ${MyString}stuff ``` This inserts stuff at the front of ${MyString}: ``` /varset MyString stuff${MyString} ``` This sets MyInt to 123: ``` /varset MyInt 123 ``` This sets MyTimer to 123 seconds: ``` /varset MyTimer 123s ``` This sets MyFloat to 1.23: ``` /varset MyFloat 1.23 ``` This sets array element n to 123: ``` /varset MyIntArray[n] 123 ``` ### Setting Variables to Results of Calculations You can use [/varcalc](/macroquest/commands/macro-commands/varcalc.md) to set a variable directly to the numeric result of a calculation. Keep in mind that the type itself may reject this value depending on what you give it. ***This will NOT work on strings!*** **Examples:** ``` /varcalc MyInt 1+2*2+1 /varcalc MyInt 1+(2*2)+1 /varcalc NumBuffSlots ${Me.FreeBuffSlots}+${Me.CountBuffs} ``` ### Setting Variables to the Result of MQ2Data Strings ``` /vardata varname newMQ2Datavalue ``` Sets a variable directly to the end result of a MQ2Data string. To use this, do NOT put ${} around the outer data to parse. *This is most useful for when you want to keep the result of something instead of trying to make the variable accept a string with /varset.* **For Example:** ``` /vardata MyFloat Math.Calc[${Me.X}+${Me.Y}] ``` ## Parsing It is important to note that parsing of variables is performed from the inside to the outside, so any ${} inside your MQ2Data statement gets evaluated before continuing. **Example** `${MyString${MyVar}}` The parser first evaluates ${MyVar}. If MyVar's value is 1, this gives us ${MyString1}. ${MyString1} is then evaluated, giving the value of whatever MyString1 is. ${${MyString}} will get the value of a MQ2Data query stored in MyString. This could be Me.Buff\[1], or a variable name, or anything that is valid inside ${}. There is no limit to this recursion. ${${${${${${${${${${MyString}}}}}}}}}} will evaluate inside to outside until there is nothing left to evaluate. This is also true for arrays: ${MyArray\[${MyInt}]} has no problems. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://macroquest.gitbook.io/macroquest/documentation/mq2datavars.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. 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