[ANSWERED] Selector / Value Select actors

[Mr_J]

Hi, what's the difference between the Selector and the Value Select actors?

Rgds, Mr J

[Juriaan]

A value selector only accepts numeric values like an int or a float. (numeric values)

A selector allows all data types that Isadora offers (Numeric Values, Text values, Video, Skeletons, etc)

[mark]

Historically, the Value Select actor came first. Later when it became apparent that an actor that allowed you to select any type of data was needed, the Selector actor as created.

An important clue though is the green dots (also known as the input and output ports) on the Selector actor when you first add it.

Those indicate that the inputs are "mutable" -- meaning they will mutate to whatever data type you connect to them. Once you make a connection, the input and outputs properties change to blue indicating they will not mutate now, because their data type has been set by virtue of making that first connection.

As you can see, the older Value Select actor does not offer that more flexible functionality.

I hope those this help you to understand other mutable actors in the future.

Best Wishes,
Mark

[Mr_J]

Thanks @mark, that makes a whole lot more sense now... i was always a bit confused by the term mutable, probably because it sounds like mute-able and implied muting whereas it's referring to mutating so rather than being mutable it's actually mutatable... which when i read back sounds like a piece of furniture

ah the english language, don't you love it 

rgds, Mr J

[mark]

@mr_j said:

it sounds like mute-able and implied muting whereas it's referring to mutating so rather than being mutable it's actually mutatable... which when i read back sounds like a piece of furniture

Haha, yes. The word "mutable" is defined as "liable to change" or "capable of or liable to mutation", but I can see why it might be confusing. Has anyone else been confused by that term? I wonder if we should change it. "changeable" is a bit awkward... I don't know what else I would use actually.

Best Wishes,
Mark

[RIL]

In spanish it makes sense !! jaja...Its very clear what it means. Don´t change it jaja

Best,

Maxi

[bonemap]

@mark said:

. I don't know what else I would use actually.

 Hybrid - adjective: of mixed character

[jfg]

late Middle English: from Latin mutabilis, from mutare ‘to change’.

Englischer Thesaurus (Amerikanisch)

mutable adjective the mutable nature of fashion: changeable, variable, varying, fluctuating, shifting, inconsistent, unpredictable, inconstant, fickle, uneven, unstable, protean; literary fluctuant. ANTONYMS  invariable.

where is the problem? exist also in a lot of European language (from latin). Cannot say about other languages.

best

Jean-François 

[bonemap]

@jfg said:

problem

 I don’t have a problem with the clarity of ‘mutable’. Perhaps the confusion comes from the word ‘mute’ that can mean a ‘reduction of strength or intensity’. So it is a misunderstanding to associate the term ‘mutable‘ with the word ‘mute’. in this case ‘mutable’ does not mean ‘able to be muted’.

I would suggest to continue referring to the ports as mutable, even if there is a misplaced ambiguity.