TFS 1.X+ Copy Table in right way

[zxmatzx]

Hello,
I realized that if i copy table1, to another table2 field, make changes in table2, table1 will be changed too. I had same problem using C# sometime ago. I want to know WHY its happen and if have some way to avoid that(im using a function to copy that is avoiding it, just wanting to know if have another way).

Ex:

BASE_INFOS = {
    [1] = {
        name = "adam",
        hp = 100,
        mp = 50,
        atk = 5,
    },
    [2] = {
        name = "jack",
        hp = 150,
        mp = 10,
        atk = 50,
    },
    [3] = {
        name = "john",
        hp = 1000,
        mp = 500,
        atk = 50,
    },
    [4] = {
        name = "rick",
        hp = 1,
        mp = 5,
        atk = 5,
    },
}

function getWrongWayJackInfo()
    local newInfos = {
        nickname = "the ripper",
        alive = false,
        baseStats = BASE_INFOS[2]
    }
    --newInfos.baseStats = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50}
    --BASE_INFOS[2] = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50}
    newInfos.baseStats.def = 20
    --newInfos.baseStats = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50, def = 50}
    --BASE_INFOS[2] = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50, def = 50}
end

function getRightWayJackInfo()
    local newInfos = {
        nickname = "the ripper",
        alive = false,
        baseStats = tableDeepCopy(BASE_INFOS[2])
    }
    --newInfos.baseStats = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50}
    --BASE_INFOS[2] = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50}
    newInfos.baseStats.def = 20
    --newInfos.baseStats = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50, def = 50}
    --BASE_INFOS[2] = {name = "jack", hp = 150, mp = 10, atk = 50}
end

function tableDeepCopy(original)
    local copy = {}
    for k, v in pairs(original) do
        if type(v) == table then
            v = tableDeepCopy(v)
        end
        copy[k] = v
    end
    return copy
end

Why its happen? Have another way to solve this? If yes, what should i use?(and why).
Thanks.

 

[Infernum]

Tables are references, meaning regardless of variable name, they all refer to 1 singular table instead of copying the value, this is the same for functions.
If you want to copy a table and edit it, use this:

function table.copy(t)
    local ret = {}
    for k, v in pairs(t) do
        ret[k] = v
    end
    return ret
end

Usage:

local t = {1, 2, 3}
local t2 = table.copy(t)

t2[1] = 500 -- t2 = {500, 2, 3}, t = {1, 2, 3}

Edit: nevermind you're already copying the table. To answer your question, there is no other way, you must copy it to avoid changing references.

 

[zxmatzx]

Tables are references, meaning regardless of variable name, they all refer to 1 singular table instead of copying the value, this is the same for functions.
If you want to copy a table and edit it, use this:

function table.copy(t)
    local ret = {}
    for k, v in pairs(t) do
        ret[k] = v
    end
    return ret
end

Usage:

local t = {1, 2, 3}
local t2 = table.copy(t)

t2[1] = 500 -- t2 = {500, 2, 3}, t = {1, 2, 3}

Edit: nevermind you're already copying the table. To answer your question, there is no other way, you must copy it to avoid changing references.

Oh, thanks for help. The function that u sended is the same that im using, but mine is recursive.