engine.inspect
Shared
Returns a human-readable string representation of any value
Syntax
local result = engine.inspect(
input,
show_hidden = false,
depth_limit = 0
)Parameters
| Type | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
any | input | Value to be inspected |
bool | show_hidden | Determines inspection depth: • When true - includes hidden elements such as metatables in the output• When false - displays only visible table contents |
int | depth_limit | Maximum nesting depth to display (0 = unlimited) |
Returns
| Type | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
string | result | Formatted string representation of the value |
Examples
local t = {a = 1, b = 2, c = 3}
local output = engine.inspect(t)
engine.print(output)
--[[
Output:
{
a: 1
b: 2
c: 3
}
]]local arr = {10, 20, 30}
local output = engine.inspect(arr)
engine.print(output)
--[[
Output:
{
1: 10
2: 20
3: 30
}
]]local data = {
name = "John",
address = {
city = "NYC",
zip = 10001
}
}
local output = engine.inspect(data)
engine.print(output)
--[[
Output:
{
name: "John"
address: {
city: "NYC"
zip: 10001
}
}
]]local deep = {a = {b = {c = {d = {e = 5}}}}}
local output = engine.inspect(deep, false, 2)
engine.print(output) -- Shows up to 2 levels, then {...}-- Inspect string
local str = "hello world"
local output = engine.inspect(str)
engine.print(output) -- 'hello world'
-- Inspect number
local num = 42
local output = engine.inspect(num)
engine.print(output) -- 42
-- Inspect boolean
local bool = true
local output = engine.inspect(bool)
engine.print(output) -- true
-- Inspect nil
local value = nil
local output = engine.inspect(value)
engine.print(output) -- nil
-- Inspect function
local func = function() return 42 end
local output = engine.inspect(func)
engine.print(output) -- '<function: 0x...>'