Can't get random table index. (invalid argument #2 to 'random' (interval is empty))

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#1 
local Maps = {
	["Bog Town"] = "a", 
	["Cold Marsh"] = "b"
} 

print(Maps[math.random(1,#Maps)])

Error:
invalid argument #2 to 'random' (interval is empty)

Please help.

#2

The # operator gets the length of the array part of a table, but you have only the dictionary part. Instead just make it an array.

local Maps = { "Bog Town", "Cold Marsh" }
print(Maps[math.random(#maps)])
1 Like
#3

With that I can’t include data like “a” and “b” seen in the script I originally posted.

#4

You would probably have to do something like looping through the dictionary and setting the index values in an array then getting a random value from that array and getting that value (index) from the array in the dictionary

#5

I recommend having an array of dictionaries

local Maps = {
    { name = "Bog Town", something = "a" },
    { name = "Cold Marsh", something = "b" }
}

print(Maps[math.random(#Maps)])

I am not sure what the single letters are for, but I recommend a better name for the key than something.

3 Likes
#6

Hey so I know I marked the solution already, but for anyone else who wants to have a dictionary like I did without having to resort to tables that have no key/index, here:

local DataTable = {
	["ct1"] = {
		Name = "cool town 1",
        data = "add whatever u want here, and it can be accessed"
	},
	["ct2"] = {
		Name = "cool town 2",
        data = "add whatever u want here, and it can be accessed"
	}
}

local Index = {
	"ct1",
	"ct2",
}

local chosen = Index[math.random(1, #Index)]

print(DataTable[chosen].Name)
1 Like