String Table Dictionary

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January 2024

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String tables are used to lower network bandwidth for multiplayer games. It's created automatically when the map is first loaded.

Important:It is saved into the map file after you leave the map.

Warning:String table cannot be generated if the map is already packed in vpk

Note:This page was created considering only 's existence

Making sure string table is created

1. Load a map that is not packed in vpk
2. Use stringtabledictionary command
3. Leave the map
4. Check the map file last modified timestamp

Example

To get the general idea what they are for let's say we have string table.

Index	String
0	Nick
1	Ellis
2	Coach
3	Rochelle

In a case string Rochelle is used what needs to be sent over the network is just the index of this string (3). This is a reason why all connected players need to have identical string table that their game looks into.

ConVars

Cvar/Command	Parameters or default value	Descriptor	Effect
sv_dumpstringtables	0	bool	Dump info about string tables when loading a map
stringtable_alwaysrebuilddictionaries	0	bool	Rebuild dictionary file on every level load
stringtable_usedictionaries	1	bool	Use dictionaries for string table networking

ConCommands

Cvar/Command	Parameters or default value	Descriptor	Effect
dumpgamestringtable			Dump the contents of the game string table to the console.
dumpstringtables			Print string tables to console.
stringtabledictionary			Create dictionary for current strings.

Tables

Table Name	Max size
downloadables	8192
modelprecache	2048
genericprecache	512
soundprecache	20000
decalprecache	512
instancebaseline	1024
lightstyles	64
userinfo	32
server_query_info	4
ParticleEffectNames	1024
EffectDispatch	1024
VguiScreen	256
Materials	1024
InfoPanel	128
Scenes	16384
MeleeWeapons	16
GameRulesCreation	1

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