How come built-in types like PoolStringArray, PoolIntArray etc... do not have a has() method?

Question

Apologies if this has been answered, I did a search and did not find anything...

How come built-in types like PoolStringArray, PoolIntArray etc... do not have a has() method?

I find myself using those built-in types for memory optimization, but then having to create for loops to search if they have a value instead of simply using a has() function. It seems if those arrays are required to be composed of same types, there could be an optimized/fast way to search through the array (memory addresses) for a value.

Perhaps it has to do with one is passed by value vs. reference...

Answer 1

As far as I know, the Pool* types are optimized for (unfragmented) memory usage. Therefore (AFAIK again) it will only be able to address continuous number ranges. Like a "traditional" Array.

If you require more array handling function then initialize an Array with such a Pool*Array and you wil have much more functionality like e.g. the .find() or has() methods.

https://docs.godotengine.org/en/3.1/classes/class_array.html#class-array-method-find

If you build such an Array on your own anyway then you can start with an Array() right away... or a perhaps a dictionary is more suitable...depends on the use case.