Is there something more efficient than FindFirstChild?

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#1

I have a couple of if statements in my scripts that use the FindFirstChild function, but the problem is that every time it runs and it doesn’t find a child of the name i put, it creates an error. Is there a more efficient way I can find if something has a child without creating a bunch of errors every time it doesn’t?

#2

WaitForChild waits 4 a child and thus prevents the script from running b4 child is created, which can result in errors.

Eg:

local Cup = game.workspace:WaitForChild("Cup")

This function is important mainly in localscripts as the script may run b4 the object is replicated from client to server.

More info on WaitForChild

1 Like
#4

nope, it still give me an error: attempt to index nil with ‘WaitForChild’

#5

Then its bcuz ur object is nil or not created. Cud u show the script in tht case? Probably doesn’t have to do anything with FindFirstChild

#6

yes, thats the problem.
when the object doesn’t exist it creates an error

#7

Well… WaitForChild must solve tht issue else its error in either script or the object replication.

#8

the variable must not be an Instance.

#10

guys lets not have an argument in my devforum post okay

#11

In tht case just do:

if object ~= nil then -- ur object or instance here
--rest of the code

This just confirms tht the child isnt a nil value saving a lot of errors.

#12

dude idk if my script is just cursed or something but it still gives the same error: attempt to index nil with ‘Humanoid’

#13

Cud u show the script pls so we can gather more conclusions?

#14 
--raycasting stuff ^^^
		local model = hitPart:FindFirstAncestorOfClass("Model")
		if model.Humanoid ~= nil then
--the stuff i want to run vvv
#15

R u trying to get a child from hitPart if not the error is due to the fact model is nil.
It means that :FindFirstAncestorOfClass("Part") function couldn’t find an ancestor with ClassName property set to hitPart

#16

if the model is nil, why do i only get the error when attempting to reference the humanoid?

#17

Check if the model exists by

if model then
#18

also if im correct that means if i were to send the raycast onto a model then it wouldnt create an error correct? ill try that right now and see what happens

#19

You can’t really avoid doing FindFirstChild if-checks when doing raycasting. It gives you information about a single point in time, so you can only get information about what exists in that instant. In this case, FindFirstAncestorOfClass can fail. There might not be a model holding the hitPart.
Try this:

local model = hitPart:FindFirstAncestorOfClass("Model")
if model and model:FindFirstChildOfClass("Humanoid") then
    -- we know this is a character model, but we haven't checked if it's a player or npc yet
end
2 Likes
#20

Excuse me asking this but wt iw model, is it a character?

#21

ok yes i was correct, now it just says Humanoid is not a valid member of Model “Workspace.Model”

#22

Well tht means ur model doesnt have a humanoid or use

model:WaitForChild("Humanoid")