Global arrays increasing file size

[Monsieur OUXX]

There is no fixed limit on the size of global arrays, but as scotch says they use up memory

I noticed that global arrays (declared in the body of a module) increase the size of the compiled game on the hard drive.
=> An array of 100,000,000 ints will cause the game to use 100,000,000*32 bits = 400 MB on the HD...

I can't understand why "volatile" variables (like arrays) should be stored on the hard drive, not just created in the RAM when the game starts???

[GarageGothic]

Yeah, that has puzzled me too - I have multiple databases in my game and just declaring the structs bloated the file size by several megs. Fortunately they compress very well, so it's not a problem when distributing the game.

[Scorpiorus]

I guess it may be the initial values of an array that take up space in the exe module; all are zeros, however.

[Monsieur OUXX]

I guess it may be the initial values of an array that take up space

You must be right

[Gilbert]

I'm not quite sure, but if that's the case the variable initialisation value data in an AGS game can be compressed VERY well in general even if they are just RLE-encoded.

So, I think it is a reasonable enough suggestion to provide an option to compress script data via RLE (like with the sprites) if it's possible.

[Pumaman]

That would be possible, but I would advise against creating 400 MB worth of script arrays; remember that it has to fit into memory at run time, so you'd be giving your game a minimum system requirement of 400 MB RAM plus the normal game requirements.

What are you trying to accomplish? Perhaps there's a better way.

[Monsieur OUXX]

I would advise against creating 400 MB worth of script arrays; What are you trying to accomplish?

Don't worry, it's not my goal. I was just frustrated to see that a technical choice I made (storing some data into arrays) had a totally unexpected side-effect (increasing the game's size).

But, to answer Gilbot, this extra-volume has excellent compression-rates since there are only zeros. So even without a native script-compression, compressing the game into a RAR or a ZIP* is perfect.


* or an ARJ -- BAM BAM! I'll teach you to say stupid things.