ActionVariable

Abstract wrapper that pairs an internal Variable storage backend with optional reference semantics. When an ActionVariable references another, GetValue() transparently delegates to the referenced variable, enabling data flow between actions without direct coupling.

The generic subclass ActionVariable<TVariable> adds a typed Value property for convenient Inspector display via Odin.

Definition

Namespace: Paragon.Core.ActionSystem Assembly: Paragon.dll

[Serializable]
public abstract class ActionVariable

[Serializable]
public class ActionVariable<TVariable> : ActionVariable

Quick Lookup

Goal	How
Get the variable's value	actionVariable.GetValue()
Get typed value (generic)	actionVariable.Value (on ActionVariable<T>)
Set the variable's value	actionVariable.SetValue(obj)
Set typed value (generic)	actionVariable.Value = val (on ActionVariable<T>)
Link to another variable	actionVariable.SetReference(other) then IsReference = true
Check if backed by a field	actionVariable.IsFieldVariable
Get the variable name	actionVariable.Name
Get the variable type	actionVariable.Type

Properties

Name

The name of the underlying variable. For field variables this is the field name; for dynamic variables it is the name passed at creation.

public string Name { get; }

Type

The System.Type of the variable's value.

public Type Type { get; }

IsReference

When true, GetValue() delegates to the referenced ActionVariable instead of reading the local variable.

public bool IsReference { get; set; }

IsFieldVariable

Returns true if the underlying storage is a FieldVariable (reflection-backed).

public bool IsFieldVariable { get; }

Value (generic subclass only)

Typed accessor available on ActionVariable<TVariable>. Internally calls GetValue() / SetValue().

public TVariable Value { get; set; }

Constructors

Both constructors are internal — instances are created by ActionVariables, not by user code.

ActionVariable(Action, FieldInfo)

Creates a field-backed variable. The underlying storage is a FieldVariable.

internal ActionVariable(Action action, FieldInfo fieldInfo)

Parameter	Type	Description
action	Action	The owning action instance
fieldInfo	FieldInfo	Reflection info for the field to bind

ActionVariable(Action, Type, string, object)

Creates a dynamic variable. The underlying storage is a DynamicVariable.

internal ActionVariable(Action action, Type type, string name, object value = default)

Parameter	Type	Description
action	Action	The owning action instance
type	Type	The value type
name	string	The variable name
value	object	Optional initial value

Methods

GetValue

Returns the current value. If IsReference is true and a reference is set, returns the referenced variable's value instead.

public object GetValue()

Returns: The variable's value as object, or null if the reference is null in reference mode.

SetValue

Sets the value on the underlying Variable storage (field or dynamic). This always writes to the local variable, regardless of IsReference.

public void SetValue(object value)

Parameter	Type	Description
value	object	The value to assign

UpdateValue

Reads the current value (respecting reference mode) and writes it back to the local variable. Used by ActionVariables.ApplyFieldVariables() to sync referenced values into fields before execution.

public void UpdateValue()

SetReference

Sets or clears the reference to another ActionVariable. When setting a non-null reference, the local value is cleared to default.

public void SetReference(ActionVariable reference)

Parameter	Type	Description
reference	ActionVariable	The variable to reference, or null to clear

Assertion: The reference's Type must be assignable to this variable's Type (checked via Type.IsOfType()). Passing an incompatible type will trigger a Debug.Assert.

GetReference

Returns the currently referenced ActionVariable, or null if none is set.

public ActionVariable GetReference()

Returns: The referenced ActionVariable or null.

Common Pitfalls

SetValue does not write through references SetValue() always writes to the local variable, even when IsReference is true. To propagate a value through a reference chain, call SetValue() on the target variable directly.

Type mismatch on reference SetReference() asserts type compatibility. Ensure reference.Type is assignable to this variable's Type before calling.

Null reference in reference mode When IsReference is true but no reference has been set (or it was set to null), GetValue() returns null. Guard against this when working with value types.

See Also

• ActionVariables — the container that creates and manages ActionVariable instances

• Variable — the internal storage base class

• Action — the base class that owns variables

• Action Variables Subsystem — subsystem overview