peacesong

I need a list of 15 integer fields to display the labels on a graph, named, sized, colored based on user input.

To attempt to simplify, I created a "receive lab1" thru "receive lab15" objects so that I cold pass them messages without all the patch chords.

However, at times I need to programmatically calculate the parameters to a given field. For example, I need to reference lab4 and based on it being the 4th item, need to change the color or other value.

ability to reference a variable name with something like: "lab$1" or better yet "lab$1+1"

I would love to get rid of all of my "receive" intermediate objects and just name the objects. Had similar limitation with not being able to access the named objects and also could not use them within an extended message stream (as example above with repeated ; ; ; statements - not sure terminology is correct here).

However, at times I need to programmatically calculate the parameters to a given field.  For example, I need to reference lab4 and based on it being the 4th item, need to change the color or other value.

Desired need:
ability to reference a variable name with something like: "lab$1" or better yet "lab$1+1"
would like to have a message like:
;
lab$1+1 $2+50;
lab$1+2 $2+100;

with the intended outcome of:
;
lab1 50;
lab2 100;

I would love to get rid of all of my "receive" intermediate objects and just name the objects.  Had similar limitation with not being able to access the named objects and also could not use them within an extended message stream (as example above with repeated ; ; ; statements - not sure terminology is correct here).

script-referenced-identifiers-array-indexed-variable-names-questions

Look at [forward] for dynamically assigning [receive] destinations. Or use [pattrforward] or [thispatcher] scripting to send to named objects.

question: is the "begin_max5_patcher" code to check out? is there a special tool to decode this into max text?

I checked out forward and others, but not quite sure how they would be used in this situation as it appears that the recipient object must be hardcoded... eg, i have the following recipients

and, I need to programmatically assign their value. Ideally, I'd have something like the following:

lab(i) = i + 40; // (or some other function of i)

using a long list of sends seems to require a bit of preprocessing to work...

(lots of processing to build a message list)

This is certainly better than what I have now, though would be hopeful to find a way to perform an "evaluation" in the message string...

question: is the "begin_max5_patcher" code to check out?  is there a special tool to decode this into max text?

I checked out forward and others, but not quite sure how they would be used in this situation as it appears that the recipient object must be hardcoded...  eg, i have the following recipients

and, I need to programmatically assign their value.  Ideally, I'd have something like the following:
for (i=0; i< 15;++i) 
{
  lab(i) = i + 40; // (or some other function of i)
}

send lab1 $1
send lab2 $2
...
send lab15 $15
forward

Simply highlight all the jibberish text including the header and footer lines and paste it into a blank max 5 patcher window.

Here's another example using [uzi] and [+] to iterate through a number of values. The [number] boxes have been given scripting names using the inspector (highlight object and press command/control+i). If you prefer writing lines of code you could do this in javascript using [js]. You'll want to use "getnamed" and "message" which are mentioned in the javascript tutorials from the help menu. There is some (untested) example code below too.

for (i=1; i
{
myobj = this.patcher.getnamed(lab+i);
myobj.message(i+40);
}


Thank you for your generosity in sharing these details.

With your guidance, I was able to successfully implement a solution in all three ways using:

My final implementation was to use "forward" as it could be readily run from a subpatcher (and it appears that thispatcher and pattrforward must be out of scope when in a subpatcher).

In addition, your examples unveiled solutions for other obstacles recently encountered.

With your guidance, I was able to successfully implement a solution in all three ways using:
forward
thispatcher
pattrforward

Script referenced identifiers, array indexed, variable names questions