Why is Unity Ignoring The Initialized Value Of A Non-Static Public Field

Why is Unity Ignoring The Initialized Value Of A Non-Static Public Field – In Unity, if you’re encountering a situation where the initialized value of a non-static public field seems to be ignored, there are a few reasons why this might be happening:

1. Serialization and Default Values:

Unity serializes fields based on their values in the Editor. When you initialize a public field in your script, Unity typically assigns this initialized value when the object is instantiated or when the scene is loaded.

However, during runtime or in certain circumstances (like entering Play Mode), Unity might reset the field’s value to its default. This happens because Unity serializes fields during Play Mode to ensure consistency and to allow for changes made through the Editor to take effect.

2. Initialization Order:

Sometimes, the order in which objects are initialized or scripts are executed in Unity can affect the values of fields. If another script or component modifies the value of the field after it has been initialized, it can overwrite the initialized value.

3. Inspector Overrides:

Values assigned in the Unity Inspector can override initialized values in your script. If you set a value for a public field in the Inspector, Unity uses this value instead of the one you’ve set in your script’s initialization.

Example Scenario:

Let’s say you have a MonoBehaviour script with a public field like this:

• In the above script, initialValue is initialized to 10.
• If you attach MyScript to a GameObject in Unity and inspect it in the Inspector, you might see initialValue set to 10.
• However, during runtime or when entering Play Mode, if the Inspector value is changed to something else (e.g., 5), Unity will use 5 instead of 10 because Inspector values override script initialization in certain contexts.

Debugging Tips:

• Inspect the Inspector: Check the Inspector for the GameObject to ensure that the value you see matches your expectation. Unity might reset or override field values based on changes made in the Inspector.
• Check Initialization Order: Ensure that the initialization of your fields or objects occurs in the sequence you expect. Other scripts or components might modify values after they’ve been initialized in your script.
• Use Debug Logs: Insert Debug.Log statements in your script’s initialization code (Awake(), Start(), etc.) to verify when and with what values your fields are being initialized.

Conclusion:

Unity’s behavior of initializing and managing public fields can sometimes seem counterintuitive due to serialization, Inspector overrides, and script execution order. By understanding how Unity serializes and manages values during different phases (Editor vs. Play Mode), you can effectively manage and debug issues related to initialized values being seemingly ignored. Ensure consistency by checking initialization orders, inspecting values in the Inspector, and using debug outputs to track field values throughout your scripts.

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