Saving memory

Okay I am loading all of my game data into an array. Now the question is should I have constant int indices labeled as CONST_PLAY_MAX_SPEED or should i just load the data into variables. I know if I use the const strategy I save memory but if I put them in variables it makes sense too.

 

you're worried about one int variable? I wouldn't waste my time if i were you

 

i am worried about a larger number such as 20, program clarity, and memory space for mobile development.

 

Don't get carried away with such small optimizations until performance becomes an issue. Of course big optimizations should be done early on, but optimizing 20 ints? If you need to save 20 ints worth of memory, you have got some other major bottlenecks!

 

Pre mature optimization is a big biggner mistake and a waste of time. If you got performance problems profile your game and figure out where the bottle neck is.

 

Don't bother optimizing 20 item arrays-vs-variables. Don't even bother with 200, or 2000, or even 20,000.

I wouldn't worry about optimizing access and storage of values like this until I got to about the 2 million mark. At that point, though you've likely got data structure issues that will need addressing before you worry about it.

 

what about program clarity?

 

What happens to be the most logical solution. It isn't really possible to judge which option that is by the information you provided. If you want the int to be adjustable at runtime, be it via some option menu, or maybe you want to load it from a config file.