C# unity if statement

Question

I have just started with unity, and have never used C# before. The code below raises the error The name 'direction' does not exist in the current context and I have no clue why. I'm sure it's super obvious but I am new to all this.

float moveHorizontal = Input.GetAxis ("Horizontal");
float moveVertical = Input.GetAxis ("Vertical");

if (moveVertical != 0 || moveHorizontal != 0) {
    if (moveVertical > 0) {
        string direction = "up";
    } else if (moveVertical < 0) {
        string direction = "down";
    } else if (moveHorizontal > 0) {
        string direction = "right";
    } else if (moveHorizontal < 0) {
        string direction = "left";
    } else {
        string direction = "###";
    }

    Debug.Log(direction);
}

you have declared variable inside the scope and finding it in outside of the scope. check the scope of variable — Jayakumar Thangavel, Dec 29 '19 at 11:26
You need to declare `string direction = "";` before if block. And replace `string direction` with `direction` inside if blocks — Chetan, Dec 29 '19 at 11:27
check this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1196941/variable-scope-confusion-in-c-sharp — Jayakumar Thangavel, Dec 29 '19 at 11:29
You don't even need the variable, just call log in each if statement — juharr, Dec 29 '19 at 13:58

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 29 '19 at 11:24

4

Let me try to explain a bit:

if (moveVertical > 0) {
    // You are declaring this for the if block
    // This is declared locally here
    string direction = "up";
    // Direction exists in the if block
    Debug.Log(direction);
}
// Direction does not exist here as it is out of the block
Debug.Log(direction);

Try to declare outside of the if blocks:

float moveHorizontal = Input.GetAxis ("Horizontal");
float moveVertical = Input.GetAxis ("Vertical");
string direction = "";

if (moveVertical != 0 || moveHorizontal != 0) {
    if (moveVertical > 0) {
        direction = "up";
    } else if (moveVertical < 0) {
        direction = "down";
    } else if (moveHorizontal > 0) {
        direction = "right";
    } else if (moveHorizontal < 0) {
        direction = "left";
    } else {
        direction = "###";
    }

    Debug.Log(direction);
}

answered Dec 29 '19 at 11:24

Athanasios Kataras

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2

In short: The compiler doesn't know the variable 'direction' as it is not visible outside the if-else statement. – momo Dec 29 '19 at 11:30
Exaclty that! I tried to explain it with a more detailed example, but your statement sums it up perfectly. – Athanasios Kataras Dec 29 '19 at 11:31
learned something here, tks! – H_7 Feb 11 '22 at 04:04
1

@H_7 I appreciate this comment more than any upvote in the world! Cheers m8. – Athanasios Kataras Feb 11 '22 at 06:33

C# unity if statement

1 Answers1