What does pcall do?

[TheGameMaker178 (Mars)]

As the title suggests what does pcall do? Specifically for Datastores and how is it used and what are some Examples?

[fellow_meerkat]

Pcalls - When and how to use them

Intoduction Protected calls, formally known as pcalls, can run functions without erroring and provide if your code was successfully ran but what’s the best way to use them and when should I? In this tutorial I will be covering the entirety of pcalls and where you’ll need them, so lets begin! Pcall basics First and foremost, we should learn what pcall’s syntax really looks like: pcall(f : function, ...args : any) Basically, you pass your desired function in as argument 1 and any arguments you…

[hyde12345678]

A pcall can catch errors in scripts when using something that ends in Async.

You can see if it fails or succeeds.

[AborayStudios]

Seriously, next time consider searching it up on google, but Pcalls are used to catch errors in scenarios that are game-breaking or can’t be relied on. But try to use them minimally; they are not performant.

[What_Innit]

Game breaking: agreed, I use it not just for network calls like datastores but also a round based game when main script is manipulating players who might come go drop tablet in a swimming pool etc. As a protection to keep the Rounds running with an emergency cleanup if not successful. I find pcall effective.

[2112Jay]

Simple untested set up

local DataStoreService = game:GetService("DataStoreService")
local cashDataStore = DataStoreService:GetDataStore("CashDataStore")

local function saveCash(player, cash)
    pcall(function()
        cashDataStore:SetAsync(player.UserId, cash)
    end)
end

local function loadCash(player)
    local success, cash = pcall(function()
        return cashDataStore:GetAsync(player.UserId)
    end)
    if success then
        return cash or 0
    else
        return 0
    end
end

The pcall loads the data of the player. If there is an error pcall will not stop the script and return 0.
If there is not an error it will load the data. If no data it will return 0. If there is it will return the amount.

[TheGameMaker178 (Mars)]

Wdym?
Are they bad for peformance?

[AborayStudios]

Yes because they have to catch errors…

[ZVNE15Z (49ER_EMPERYAN)]

Pcall can catch errors, and run functions in the case of an error, this can prevent the entire function / thread its being ran from being stopped in a error.
And yes they might be a tiny bit peformance heavy, because it catches errors.