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Basalt2/docs/guides/properties.md
Robert Jelic c901983a0e Small docs fix
2025-02-25 08:48:44 +01:00

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# Properties in Basalt
Properties are the foundation of how Basalt elements store and manage their attributes. Understanding how properties work is key to effectively using Basalt.
## Basic Usage
Every element in Basalt has properties that can be accessed and modified:
```lua
local button = main:addButton()
:setPosition(5, 5) -- Set position property
:setSize(10, 3) -- Set size property
:setText("Click me") -- Set text property
```
## Dynamic Properties
Properties can be dynamic using strings or functions:
```lua
-- String-based dynamic properties
button:setPosition("{parent.width - 10}", 5) -- 10 pixels from right edge
-- Function-based dynamic properties
button:setPosition(function(self)
return self:getParent():getWidth() - 10
end, 5)
```
## Property Types
### Position Properties
- `x`, `y` - Element position
- `width`, `height` - Element size
- `z` - Layer order (higher numbers = on top)
### Visual Properties
- `background` - Background color
- `foreground` - Text color
- `visible` - Whether element is shown
- `text` - Element's text content
### State Properties
- `focused` - Has keyboard focus
- `clicked` - Currently being clicked
- `enabled` - Can receive input
## Combined Properties
Some properties can be set together:
```lua
button:setSize(10, 3) -- Individual
button:setPosition(5, 5) -- Individual
-- OR combined:
button:setSize({10, 3}) -- Combined
button:setPosition({5, 5}) -- Combined
```
## Property Inheritance
Elements inherit properties from their parent containers:
```lua
local frame = main:addFrame()
:setBackground(colors.blue) -- All children inherit this background
frame:addButton() -- Button has blue background unless overridden
```
## Property Events
You can react to property changes:
```lua
button:onChange("text", function(self, newText)
-- Called when text property changes
end)
```
## Tips & Best Practices
1. **Dynamic Updates**
- Use dynamic properties for responsive layouts
- Avoid expensive calculations in property functions
- Chain property setters for cleaner code
2. **Performance**
- Only update properties when needed
- Use combined setters when changing multiple related properties
- Consider using states for complex property management
3. **Organization**
- Group related property changes together
- Initialize all important properties at creation
- Use meaningful values for better readability
## Common Patterns
### Responsive Layout
```lua
element:setPosition(2, 2)
:setSize("{parent.width - 4}", "{parent.height - 4}")
```
### Conditional Styling
```lua
button:setBackground(function(self)
return self.clicked and colors.gray or colors.lightGray
end)
```
### Layout Calculations
```lua
element:setPosition(function(self)
local parent = self:getParent()
return math.floor((parent:getWidth() - self:getWidth()) / 2)
end)