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MiniRobotLanguage (MRL)
ARM.Validate
Validates the existence and usability of a two-dimensional array handle.
Intention
The ARM.Validate command checks whether a given two-dimensional (2D) array handle is valid and usable, ensuring it exists in memory and has not been destroyed or corrupted. This is a critical command for error handling and reliability in MiniRobotLanguage, preventing operations on invalid or non-existent 2D arrays, which could lead to runtime errors or crashes. 2D arrays, visualized as a grid like a chessboard with rows and columns (e.g., [1,1] to [8,8]), are emulated within a one-dimensional structure in MRL, and ARM.Validate is essential for applications like games (e.g., verifying a game board before moving pieces), image processing (e.g., ensuring a pixel grid is valid before manipulation), or scientific computing (e.g., confirming a matrix exists before calculations). It’s particularly useful in complex programs managing multiple arrays, where handles might become invalid due to destruction with ARM.End or ARM.EndAll, ensuring robust error prevention before performing operations.
Illustration:
✅ 2D Array Validation: A chessboard-like grid with handle $$ARR is confirmed as valid and usable, or marked invalid if destroyed (e.g., after ARM.End).
🔑 Handle: $$ARR is checked for validity, returning a status (valid/invalid).
Syntax
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
Parameter Explanation
P1 - $$ARR - (Variable, 5 characters max)
The handle of the 2D array to validate. This variable, limited to 5 characters, must contain a handle (created by ARM.New) or potentially an invalid handle (e.g., after ARM.End). The command checks if the handle refers to a valid, active 2D array in memory.
Examples
'***********************************
' ARM.Validate - Sample 1: Validating a Game Board
'***********************************
ARM.New|$$ARR
ARM.Set|$$ARR|1|1|King
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
IF|$$RESULT|==|1
DBP.2D Array (chessboard-like) $$ARR is valid
ELSE
DBP.2D Array $$ARR is invalid
END
ARM.End|$$ARR
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
DBP.2D Array $$ARR is now invalid (destroyed)
'
'***********************************
' ARM.Validate - Sample 2: Validating an Image Pixel Grid
'***********************************
ARM.New|$$ARR|f
ARM.Set|$$ARR|1|1|1.5
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
IF|$$RESULT|==|1
DBP.2D Array (pixel grid) $$ARR is valid
ELSE
DBP.2D Array $$ARR is invalid
END
ARM.End|$$ARR
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
DBP.2D Array $$ARR is now invalid (destroyed)
'
'***********************************
' ARM.Validate - Sample 3: Validating a Matrix Before Operation
'***********************************
ARM.New|$$ARR|i
ARM.Set|$$ARR|1|1|100
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
IF|$$RESULT|==|1
DBP.2D Array (matrix) $$ARR is valid
ARM.Sum|$$ARR|$$TOT
DBP.Matrix sum: $$TOT
ELSE
DBP.2D Array $$ARR is invalid, recreate it
END
ARM.End|$$ARR
ARM.Validate|$$ARR
DBP.2D Array $$ARR is now invalid (destroyed)
'
Remarks
- The array handle must be stored in a variable with a maximum length of 5 characters (e.g., $$ARR, $$TMP) and should be validated before performing any operations to ensure stability, especially in complex applications like multi-player games, image editors, or scientific tools managing multiple 2D arrays.
- The result of ARM.Validate is typically stored in a variable (e.g., $$RESULT) where 1 indicates a valid handle and 0 indicates an invalid handle. This allows for conditional logic to handle invalid states gracefully, such as recreating the array or logging an error.
- Using ARM.Validate is particularly important after operations like ARM.End or ARM.EndAll, or in scenarios where handles might be reused or passed between functions, ensuring no operations are attempted on destroyed or corrupted 2D arrays.
- The performance impact of validation is minimal, but frequent validation of large numbers of arrays may add slight overhead due to the emulation of 2D arrays in MRL. However, this is typically negligible for most practical applications, such as validating game boards or pixel grids.
Limitations
- The array handle variable must not exceed 5 characters and must be a valid variable name; invalid variable names or handles may cause errors or undefined behavior.
- ARM.Validate only checks the existence of the handle, not its contents or data integrity; additional checks (e.g., ARM.GetDims) may be needed for more thorough validation depending on the application.
- The command assumes the handle refers to a 2D array; using it on other data types or structures may lead to undefined behavior or errors.
- While validation is fast, excessive use in performance-critical loops with very large arrays may introduce minor overhead due to the 2D array emulation in MRL, though this is rarely significant for typical use cases like game boards or small matrices.
See also:
• ARM.New
• ARM.End