Best way to store version number?

Hi all, little query here

I want to add a version number to my game. one that can be displayed in the corner and can be used to check if its up to date etc etc

What would be the best way to store this, so it can be displayed like a string (ie X.YY.ZZ) but still comparable like an integer? (==,!=,>,<,>=,<=)

Thanks in advanced

 

It's all how you rather have it.


I would look at the values (it says for java script but it works for C# too.)

But To save you some time, I'll answer the ones you listed :

== : Equal to
!= : Not Equal To
> : Greater Than
< : Less Than
>= : Greater Than/Equal To
<= : Less Than/Equal to

 

Sorry if that came off wrong, I know what those mean, I meant so that you could compare the version numbers with those statements if that makes sense

 

I apologize, I might of read it wrong too..

Just to make sure :
You want it so it immediately checks to see if theres a update out, And if there's a new version, it'll say?

 

You could store it as three integer and compare them one after the other. You could even create a custom datatype.

Code (CSharp):

1. public struct VersionNumber {
2.     public int x { get; set; }
3.     public int y { get; set; }
4.     public int z { get; set; }
5.  
6.     public override string ToString() {
7.         return string.Format("{0:0}.{1:00}.{2:00}", x, y, z);
8.     }
9.  
10.     public static bool operator <(VersionNumber a, VersionNumber b) {
11.         return a.x < b.x || a.x == b.x && a.y < b.y || a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z < b.z;
12.     }
13.  
14.     public static bool operator >(VersionNumber a, VersionNumber b) {
15.         return a.x > b.x || a.x == b.x && a.y > b.y || a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z > b.z;
16.     }
17.  
18.     public static bool operator <=(VersionNumber a, VersionNumber b) {
19.         return a.x < b.x || a.x == b.x && a.y < b.y || a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z < b.z || a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z == b.z;
20.     }
21.  
22.     public static bool operator >=(VersionNumber a, VersionNumber b) {
23.         return a.x > b.x || a.x == b.x && a.y > b.y || a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z > b.z || a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z == b.z;
24.     }
25.  
26.     public static bool operator ==(VersionNumber a, VersionNumber b) {
27.         return a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y && a.z == b.z;
28.     }
29.  
30.     public static bool operator !=(VersionNumber a, VersionNumber b) {
31.              return a.x != b.x || a.y != b.y || a.z != b.z;
32.     }
33.  
34.     public override bool Equals(object obj) {
35.         return obj is VersionNumber && (VersionNumber) obj == this;
36.     }
37.  
38.     public override int GetHashCode() {
39.         return x.GetHashCode() ^ y.GetHashCode() << 2 ^ z.GetHashCode() >> 2;
40.     }
41. }

And if you are certain, that the versionnumber follows a specific pattern (like outlined in the ToString method: #.##.##), you could add a toInt property and compare that instead.

Code (CSharp):

1. public int toInt {
2.     get { return (x * 100 + y) * 100 + z; }
3. }

 

I can handle that stuff, I'll make it specific what im asking to avoid any confusion

I want a variable/object where I can store the version number
e.g "1.3.43"
and this needs to be comparable to another of the same type
so i need to be able to do Version>1.3.43 etc. cant use an integer as it would lose the details but a string wouldnt be comparable that way

 

This seems to do what i was thinking of, gimme a chance to test it out and I'll let you know

 

Ignore my ignorance, but how would I declare a variable of this type and give it a value or do i need to make a constructor? would you also know how to make it accesible via the inspector?

 

You can have a constructor, or simply write something like this:

Code (CSharp):

1. VersionNumber vn = new VersionNumber {x = 2, y = 34, z = 7};

 

ah okay, if i add the constructor ill be able to use either method, correct?

 

Yes, but if you write a constructor, be sure to call the parameterless constructor. Something like this:

Code (CSharp):

1. public VersionNumber(int x, int y, int z) : this () {
2.         this.x = x;
3.         this.y = y;
4.         this.z = z;
5.     }

Edit: If you want to see it in the Inspector, add the System.Serializable attribute to the struct, and change the x,y,z properties into fields (or add serialized private fields and use the properties as readonly accessor, but that breaks the field initializer way of creating an object of the type)

 

Awesome, thanks for the help

 

One last request, would making a string to VersionNumber construction be as easy as just splitting it by decimal and taking the different parts?

 

Not sure if it is the most clever way, but this works:

Code (CSharp):

1. public static VersionNumber FromString(string input) {
2.     string[] parts = input.Split('.');
3.  
4.     if (parts.Length != 3) throw new ArgumentException("String does not denote a valid VersionNumber");
5.  
6.     return new VersionNumber(
7.         System.Convert.ToInt32(parts[0], CultureInfo.InvariantCulture),
8.         System.Convert.ToInt32(parts[1], CultureInfo.InvariantCulture),
9.         System.Convert.ToInt32(parts[2], CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)
10.     );
11. }

 

Whilst waiting I gave it a crack

Code (CSharp):

1. public VersionNumber(string Version)
2.     {
3.         try
4.         {
5.             string[] Parts = Version.Split('.');
6.             try { this.x = int.Parse(Parts[0]); } catch { this.x = 0; }
7.             try { this.y = int.Parse(Parts[1]); } catch { this.y = 0; }
8.             try { this.z = int.Parse(Parts[2]); } catch { this.z = 0; }
9.         }
10.         catch { this.x=0; this.y = 0; this.z = 0; }
11.     }

does this look fine or do you recommend i use yours?

 

If it works, use it. Yours has the benefit that it doesn't throw an exception, but it can silently generate a invalid object, if the string doesn't match the template. You decide what you prefer.

 

Does your's have any benefits over mine? just because if it does, i'll happily integrate the two together
mine seems to work from what ive tested

 

They are basically the same. Convert.ToInt32 returns 0 if the string is null, int.Parse throws an exception. You can read more about this here.

 

ah okay, ill use your approach there then

 

why not just use what is built into .net and c# System.Version it lets you comparing version numbers, as well as printing them.

 

Whelp...apparently that's a thing. Well, forget I ever said anything in this thread.

 

Sigh XD
I've just finished making the thing I needed it for now, so I dont know if i'll bother switching over