Tier 1
Series 8
8B: The Holding Pattern
"A holding pattern needs an exit strategy. If you circle the airport forever without checking your fuel, you fall out of the sky. Loops in code must always have a guaranteed way to break."
The Concept: Infinite Loops
**While Loops** run as long as a condition is true. If the AI forgets to change the condition inside the loop, it runs forever, freezing Unity completely.
* **The Danger:** `while(health > 0)` ... if you never subtract health, it never ends.
* **The Fix:** Always ensure the loop variable changes or add a safety break.
* **The Danger:** `while(health > 0)` ... if you never subtract health, it never ends.
* **The Fix:** Always ensure the loop variable changes or add a safety break.
Red Flag Detected
The Audit: The Frozen Engine
Ask the AI to deplete mana until empty.
void DepleteMana() {
// FRAGILE CODE
// Mana is never subtracted. Unity will freeze.
while (mana > 0) {
Debug.Log("Draining...");
}
}
This is a "Hang." The condition `mana > 0` remains true forever because the AI forgot to subtract mana inside the braces.
Elite Telemetry
Research shows "Elite" teams achieve 15% faster lead times by keeping AI on a "very tight leash."
- Small Batches Solving one problem at a time prevents logic drift.
- Modular Design Localizing the "blast radius" of AI changes.
- Tight Loops Rapid iteration with constant code review.
The Mechanic's Correction
Corrective Protocol
void DepleteMana() {
while (mana > 0) {
Debug.Log("Draining...");
mana--; // AUDIT PASS: Fuel is consumed.
}
}
Your Pilot Command
> A skilled Mechanic directs the AI to decrement the variable.