How do I remove an entry from a table by its index? (1 Viewer)

[TheAlmightyGuru]

I've read that the correct way to remove an entry from a table is to simply set it to nil. However, when I try to do this, I inadvertently remove all subsequent entries as well. Here is my sample code:

arr = {'a', 'b', 'c', 'd'}

for index, row in ipairs(arr) do
    print(index, row)
end

arr[2] = nil  -- Remove the second entry.

print("remaining:")
for index, row in ipairs(arr) do
    print(index, row)
end

I would expect the remaining output to look like this:
1 a
3 c
4 d

But, it only prints the first record:
1 a

Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

 

[stetre]

Your subsequent entries are still there. However, by removing the entry you insert a hole in the table, so it is no more a sequence and ipairs( ) won't work any more. You have to iterate with pairs( ) instead. See the linked manual entries for more details.

 

[TheAlmightyGuru]

Thank you stetre!

Your response helped me find another way of removing a table entry. Using the following code:

table.remove(arr, 2)

allows me to remove the entry and also keeps the ipairs loop working.

 

[stetre]

Yes, that's also an option. Keep in mind, however, that table.remove changes the keys (the indices) of all the entries that come after the entry you remove.