Redefining variable type in child objects

ID:2365830
 
Apr 30 2018, 4:04 pm
(See the best response by Kaiochao.)
Trying to explain what I can't solve
/obj/parent
    var/datum/parent/objs_datum = null

/obj/parent/child1
    /datum/parent/child1/objs_datum = null


I am in need of help on the question, of how to redefine a type of variable.

Basically, a parent has variable objs_datum, it's type is /datum/parent, I need the child of the object, to have objs_datum type be set to /datum/parent/child1
Apr 30 2018, 4:05 pm
You can't. Once the type has been set, it's set.

You should be setting the type to the lowest level interface possible.
Apr 30 2018, 4:11 pm
The thing is. The lowest level interface doesn't have the variables I use later in the code. So, the solution would be just giving the parent all the variables it's just child has? Code is as follows by the way basically:
/datum/playing_cards
    var/name_card = ""

/datum/playing_cards/advanced
    var/card_number = ""

/obj/item/toy/play_cards
    var/datum/playing_cards/card_info

/obj/item/toy/play_cards/advanced
    /datum/playing_cards/card_info

/obj/item/toy/play_cards/examine()
    usr << "[card_info.name_card]"

/obj/item/toy/play_cards/advanced/examine()
    usr << "[card_info.name_card] #[card_info.card_number]"


I mean, oh well.
Apr 30 2018, 4:25 pm
In most cases, where you are running into this issue, you are designing data structures poorly.

Without more information about what you are trying to do, I can't offer any advice on adjusting your thinking.
Apr 30 2018, 4:43 pm
In response to Luduk
Best response
In that case, I would set it up so the text shown when a card is examined is given by the card datum. That way, anything specific to child types can be included through overrides.

For example:
card_info
  var
    name

  proc
    GetDescription()
      return name

card_info/advanced
  var
    number

  GetDescription()
    return "[..()] #[number]"

obj/item/toy/play_card
  var
    card_info/card_info

  examine()
    usr << card_info.GetDescription()