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(value)
  for _, v in ipairs(self) do
    if v == value then return true end
  end
  return false
end

Yet when I try to do the following.

t = {'four', 'five', 'six'}
t:contains('five')

I get the error.

stdin:1: attempt to call method 'contains' (a nil value)

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

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.