Left 4 Dead 2/Scripting/Script Functions/AddThinkToEnt

AddThinkToEnt()

Turns a function of an entity's script into a think function, which is a function that constantly reruns again and again. By default, think functions attempt to run every 0.1 seconds, though think functions can reconfigure its rethink rate by simplying returning a number. There can only be one think function for each entity at a time, so you can't chain think functions; You can however passnullas an argument under funcname to stop this entity from thinking.

See this sub-section of the Entity Scripts page to know more about think functions.

Parameters

void AddThinkToEnt(CBaseEntity entity,string invTable)

Type	Name	Description
CBaseEntity	entity	Target entity to be applied a think function.
string	funcname	Given the string, find the function of the same name. Passnullto remove it.

Code Samples

Fastest Rethink Rate

When ran, an info_target spawned with a think function that automatically uses the fastest possible rethink speed (that's capped). The think function uses ClientPrint() and fills the chatbox about how long the game has been running. When it has sent the messages 30 times, the entity will then delete itself, thus halting the think function.

Since runs on 30 ticks by default, think functions can never run faster than 0.03333... seconds. See this sub-section of the Entity Scripts page to know more about think functions.

local timethinker = SpawnEntityFromTable("info_target", { targetname = "timethinker" } )
if( timethinker.ValidateScriptScope() )
{
	const MAX_PRINT_TIMES = 30
	timethinker.GetScriptScope()["PrintCount"] <- 0
	timethinker.GetScriptScope()["Think"] <- function()
	{
		if( timethinker.GetScriptScope()["PrintCount"] < MAX_PRINT_TIMES )
		{
			ClientPrint(null, DirectorScript.HUD_PRINTTALK, "\x04"+"Current Time: "+"\x05"+Time().tostring())
			timethinker.GetScriptScope()["PrintCount"]++
			return 0.01	// can't actually rethink this fast; its just an easy way to make sure it rethinks at the rethink rate cap
		}
		else
		{
			ClientPrint(null, DirectorScript.HUD_PRINTTALK, "\x03"+"We printed enough times already.")
			self.Kill()
		}
	}
	AddThinkToEnt(timethinker, "Think")
}

Survivor Health Decay

Look at Rochelle, Ellis and Coach's health.

This script applies a slow think function onto all players, which will then slowly decay their normal health, and turn it into temporary health. It also implements a buffer system, a period where health decay attempts will not be allowed.

const HEALTH_DECAY_TIME = 2
const HEALTH_DECAY_BUFFERCOUNT = 5
local player = null
while( player = Entities.FindByClassname(player,"player") )
{
	// Team 4 is the L4D1 Passing Survivors; they're invincible!
	if( player.IsSurvivor() && NetProps.GetPropInt(player, "m_iTeamNum") != 4 )
	{
		if( player.ValidateScriptScope() )
		{
			local player_entityscript = player.GetScriptScope()
			player_entityscript["HealthDecayBufferCount"] <- HEALTH_DECAY_BUFFERCOUNT
			player_entityscript["HealthDecay"] <- function()
			{
				if( player_entityscript["HealthDecayBufferCount"] < 0 )
				{
					// Bots lose the think function when they die, anyways
					if( !self.IsIncapacitated() && !self.IsDead() && !self.IsHangingFromLedge() )
					{
						if( self.GetHealth() > 1 )
						{
							self.SetHealth( self.GetHealth()-1 )
							self.SetHealthBuffer( self.GetHealthBuffer()+1 )
							printl(GetCharacterDisplayName(self)+" is decaying health!")
						}
						else
							printl(GetCharacterDisplayName(self)+" isn't able to decay health anymore.")
					}
					else
						printl(GetCharacterDisplayName(self)+" is currently not allowed to decay health.")
				}
				else
				{
					player_entityscript["HealthDecayBufferCount"] -= 1
					printl(GetCharacterDisplayName(self)+" is in health decay buffer")
				}
				return HEALTH_DECAY_TIME
			}
		}
	}
	AddThinkToEnt(player, "HealthDecay")
	printl("Applied health decaying to "+player)
}