update overlay dev guide with troubleshooting tips

and dev workflows
develop
myk002 2022-12-04 17:31:32 -08:00
parent 7a619eac9e
commit 63e11c8453
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@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ changelog.txt uses a syntax similar to RST, with a few special sequences:
## Misc Improvements ## Misc Improvements
## Documentation ## Documentation
- `overlay-dev-guide`: added troubleshooting tips and common development workflows
## API ## API

@ -144,16 +144,76 @@ declared like this::
} }
When the `overlay` plugin is enabled, it scans all plugins and scripts for When the `overlay` plugin is enabled, it scans all plugins and scripts for
this table and registers the widgets on your behalf. The widget is enabled if it this table and registers the widgets on your behalf. Plugin lua code is loaded
was enabled the last time the `overlay` plugin was loaded and the widget's with ``require()`` and script lua code is loaded with `reqscript`. If your
position is restored according to the state saved in the widget is in a script, ensure your script can be
:file:`dfhack-config/overlay.json` file. `loaded as a module <reqscript>`, or else the widget will not be discoverable.
The widget is enabled on load if it was enabled the last time the `overlay`
plugin was loaded, and the widget's position is restored according to the state
saved in the :file:`dfhack-config/overlay.json` file.
The overlay framework will instantiate widgets from the named classes and own The overlay framework will instantiate widgets from the named classes and own
the resulting objects. The instantiated widgets must not be added as subviews to the resulting objects. The instantiated widgets must not be added as subviews to
any other View, including the Screen views that can be returned from the any other View, including the Screen views that can be returned from the
``overlay_trigger()`` function. ``overlay_trigger()`` function.
Development workflows
---------------------
When you are developing an overlay widget, you will likely need to reload your
widget many times as you make changes. The process for this differs slightly
depending on whether your widget is attached to a plugin or is implemented in a
script.
Note that reloading a script does not clear its global environment. This is fine
if you are changing existing functions or adding new ones. If you remove a
global function or other variable from the source, though, it will stick around
in your script's global environment until you restart DF.
Scripts
*******
#. Edit the widget source
#. If the script is not in your `script-paths`, install your script (see the
`modding-guide` for help setting up a dev environment so that you don't need
to reinstall your scripts after every edit).
#. Call ``:lua require('plugins.overlay').reload()`` to reload your overlay
widget
Plugins
*******
#. Edit the widget source
#. Install the plugin so that the updated code is available in
:file:`hack/lua/plugins/`
#. If you have changed the compiled plugin, `reload` it
#. If you have changed the lua code, run ``:lua reload('plugins.mypluginname')``
#. Call ``:lua require('plugins.overlay').reload()`` to reload your overlay
widget
Troubleshooting
---------------
**If your widget is not getting discovered by the overlay framework, double
check that:**
#. ``OVERLAY_WIDGETS`` is declared, is global (not ``local``), and contains your
widget class
#. (if a script> your script is `declared as a module <reqscript>`
(``--@ module = true``) and it does not have side effects when loaded as a
module (i.e. you check ``dfhack_flags.module`` and return before executing
any statements if the value is ``true``
#. your code does not have syntax errors -- run
``:lua ~reqscript('myscriptname')`` (if a script) or
``:lua ~require('plugins.mypluginname')`` (if a plugin) and make sure there
are no errors and the global environment contains what you expect.
**If your widget is not running when you expect it to be running,** run
`gui/overlay` when on the target screen and check to see if your widget is
listed when showing overlays for the current screen. If it's not there, verify
that this screen is included in the ``viewscreens`` list in the widget class
attributes.
Widget example 1: adding text to a DF screen Widget example 1: adding text to a DF screen
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