How do I add a method to the table type?

Question

How do I add a method to the table type? I\'m trying to write a method that searches through the values of a table. So far I have.

function table:contains(va         


        

Answer 1

As was said by others, your t is a simple table, it contains only the following key-value pairs: [1]='four', [2]='five', [3]='six'.

If you want to "extend" the t to be able to access functions from the table module, you have to set a metatable with __index pointing to the table module. I use the following function to access it easily:

function T(t)
    return setmetatable(t, {__index = table})
end

You can then use it as follows (thanks to syntax sugar no parentheses needed):

t = T{'four', 'five', 'six'}
t:insert('seven')
print(t:contains('seven')) --> true

Answer 2

There is no single metatable for all tables. Unlike strings and numbers, each table has its own individual metatable.

Just make a free function instead of a "member" function for these kinds of things. Not everything needs to be all OOP with : and such.

Answer 3

You've added a method to the table library but you haven't given any metatable to table t. There is no automatic connection between table and t.