lua how to default value if nil or false
Setting a Default Value in Lua if a Variable is Nil or False
In Lua, you can set a default value for a variable if it is nil
or false
using a conditional assignment statement. Here's how you can do it:
-- Example variable
local myVariable = nil
-- Set default value if myVariable is nil or false
myVariable = myVariable or defaultValue
Explanation:
1. Declare the variable myVariable
and assign it a value of nil
.
2. Use the conditional assignment statement myVariable = myVariable or defaultValue
.
3. If myVariable
is nil
or false
, the expression myVariable or defaultValue
evaluates to defaultValue
, and myVariable
is assigned the value of defaultValue
.
4. If myVariable
is not nil
or false
, the expression myVariable or defaultValue
evaluates to myVariable
, and myVariable
retains its original value.
This technique allows you to provide a default value for a variable when it is not explicitly assigned a value or when it is assigned a value of nil
or false
.
Note: In Lua, only nil
and false
are considered as false values. All other values, including 0
, empty strings, and empty tables, are considered as true values.