Accessing a variable from both client and init.lua

[Addam1338]

Basically I have a boolean called isTimerActive and what that does is basically checking if a bomb is ticking or not.

The issue i'm having is when change the timer in the client side the timer will only update on that specific client.

For instance when i plant the bomb it the timer still remains false for other users and they can plant it aswell. I've tried networking the thing but it just turns into a shitstorm back and fourth. Any ideas on how to make the variable "isTimerActive" more static and available anywhere, anytime for anyone to change?

[SweptThrone]

Put the variable in the shared.lua file of the thing.

[bigdogmat]

Assuming this is your bomb entity, use Entity/NetworkVar or NWVars. If not use net messages and keep track of this server side.

[JustJosh]

Indeed there are a few methods.

Create it in the shared realm and both server and client can access it
Use Entity/NetworkVar to access it specific to the entity.
Use the Net Library

[solid_jake]

Just a note that making a variable in the shared realm doesn't guarantee the variable will have the exact same value. If you're changing a timer on the clientside you will not affect anyone else's client, or the server equivalent value. You need to network the changes made clientside or make the change serverside and broadcast

[Lexic]

The issue i'm having is when change the timer in the client side the timer will only update on that specific client.
The client shouldn't be setting values - you need to do this sort of thing from the server.
Lots of exploits happen because of developers trust clients to set values and then malicious people set arbitrary values that break things.

You should set the timer up in a server-side hook (such as ENT:Use()) and then set a NetworkVar to let all clients know about it.

Here is an example script:

AddCSLuaFile()

DEFINE_BASECLASS( "base_anim" )

ENT.PrintName = "Ticker"

ENT.Spawnable = true

function ENT:SetupDataTables()

    -- Set up a networked value to store our timer end in
    self:NetworkVar( "Float", 0, "BombTimer" );

end

if SERVER then

    function ENT:Initialize()

        self:SetModel( "models/weapons/w_c4.mdl" )
        self:PhysicsInit( SOLID_VPHYSICS )
        self:PhysWake()
        -- Stops ENT:Use() being spammed, see http://wiki.garrysmod.com/page/Entity/SetUseType for more info
        self:SetUseType( SIMPLE_USE )

    end

    function ENT:Use()

        -- Let both the client and server know the bomb is active
        self:SetBombTimer( CurTime() + 10 )

    end

    function ENT:Think()

        local timer = self:GetBombTimer()

        if timer == 0 then
            -- Do nothing if the timer isn't running
            return
        elseif timer > CurTime() then
            -- If the timer is in the future, there's nothing to do on the server
            return
        end

        -- Boom
        local effectdata = EffectData()
        effectdata:SetOrigin( self:GetPos() )
        util.Effect( "Explosion", effectdata, true, true )

        -- Reset the timer. In real life you'd probably want to use self:Remove()
        self:SetBombTimer( 0 )

    end

else

    ENT._NextTick = 0
    function ENT:Think()

        -- Do nothing if the timer isn't active
        if self:GetBombTimer() == 0 then
            return
        end

        -- Only beep every 0.2 seconds
        local now = CurTime()
        if now < self._NextTick then
            return
        end
        self._NextTick = now + 0.2

        -- Beep
        self:EmitSound( "buttons/button15.wav" )

    end

end

[Addam1338]

Thanks, i'll be sure to check it out