`self` is always returning the exact same table

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#1

I’m trying to create objects for my game, but each time new is called it always will either return the exact same table (self) or it will return a table without any of the functions I included in the module! For simplicity’s sake I tried stripping the module down to just this.

local module = {}
module.__index = {}

function module:new()
	print(tostring(self))
	return self
end
function module:move()
	warn(tostring(self))
end

return module

The issue persists either way! Here is an image of what is being printed by the way.
image
So maybe I just have to make a new table each time right? So I tried using this code:

function module:new()
	self = setmetatable({}, module)

…and even…

function module.new()
	self = setmetatable({}, module)

And now each table being printed is different, But they are completely empty!! I genuinely have no clue what I can do to fix this, I tried searching everywhere on the devforum and I had no success. Heres whats being printed after inserting the previous code by the way.
image

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#2

First off when making a class, it should always be with a dot, next you have to specify parameters inside the class, for example the string you want to print, and then make a method to print said string with a :

So a program that prints a string specified in the class might look something like this.

local module = {}
module.__Index = module

function module.new(TheString)
	local self = setmetatable(module, {})
	self.String = TheString
	
	return self
end

function module:PrintString()
	print(self.String)
end

return module

Look up some OOP guides on YouTube, they will help you understand.

1 Like
#3

you need to do this
local self = setmetatable({}, module)

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#4

I tested it in studio, it gives me an error if I do it like that.

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#5

worked fine for me
char char char

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#6

This unfortunately did not solve my issue, I added your change into my code and the issue still persists.

local module = {}
module.__index = {}

function module.new()
	local self = setmetatable(module, {})
	print(tostring(self))
	return self
end
function module:move()
	warn(tostring(self))
end

return module

image
Notice how all the tables being printed are the exact same.

1 Like
#7

can you try
local self = setmetatable({}, module)

2 Likes
#8

I guess because mine is in a module script, not a server script.

1 Like
#9

The tables are all different but they are completely empty this time.
image

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#10

you shouldn’t be setting it to a new table you should be setting it to the table of the module or script your using. Like this

module.__index = module

3 Likes
#11

Thank you for pointing this out! I’m honestly a bit tired from all of this debugging I’ve been doing.
This however didn’t solve my issue.
image

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#12

btw you typed module.__Index = module wrong

here that gives error

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#13

Can you post the full version of your code again?

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#14

can you try call move function like self:move()

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#15

I’ll give you both actually, here is the “stripped down” version I’m using to debug this issue.

local module = {}
module.__index = module

function module.new()
	local self = setmetatable({}, module)
	print(tostring(self))
	return self
end
function module:move()
	warn(tostring(self))
end

return module

Here is what I wrote before the extensive debugging.

local object = {className = 'coin'}
--object.__index = object

local mod = script.Parent.Parent
local helpers = require(mod.helpers)
local visuals = require(mod.visuals)

function object:destroy()
	-- destroy the object
	self.visual:destroy()
	--self = nil
end
local test = 0
function object:new(parent, position: Vector3)
	test += 1
	self.test = test
	-- create the model for this object
	local visual = visuals.coin:new()
	self.visual = visual
	if position then
		visual:move(position)
	end
	--
	return self
end
--
function object:move(position: Vector3)
	self.visual:move(position, self.test)
	return self
end

return object
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#16

The move function does not exist in the table.

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#17

is it gives an error?
it should work because it is searching in module table not your new table

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#18 
local object = {className = 'coin'}
object.__index = object

local mod = script.Parent.Parent
local helpers = require(mod.helpers)
local visuals = require(mod.visuals)

local test = 0
function object.new(parent, position: Vector3)
	test += 1
	
	local newObj = setmetatable({}, object)
	newObj.test = test
	
	-- create the model for this object
	local visual = visuals.coin.new()
	newObj.visual = visual
	
	if position then
		visual:move(position)
	end
	--
	return newObj
end
--
function object:move(position: Vector3)
	self.visual:move(position, self.test)
	return self
end
--
function object:destroy()
	-- destroy the object
	self.visual:destroy()
	--self = nil
end

return object

Try this one and let me know if it solves your problem.

3 Likes
#19

This did not solve my problem unfortunately, the tables are all missing their functions.

1 Like
#20

I forgot to screenshot the console!
image

1 Like