There Is No Viable Alternative To `HierarchyEvent`
Introduction
In the latest version of Bevy, the HierarchyEvent
has been removed, leaving developers without a reliable way to detect specific changes to a hierarchy. This change has sparked a discussion about the need for an alternative solution that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy. In this article, we will explore the problem that HierarchyEvent
solved, the limitations of the current alternatives, and the potential solutions that have been proposed.
The Problem with RemovedComponents
Prior to the removal of HierarchyEvent
, it was the only way to reliably detect specific changes to a hierarchy. However, with the introduction of RemovedComponents
, it seems like there is an alternative solution available. But, as we will see, RemovedComponents
has its own limitations.
What's Wrong with RemovedComponents
?
The main issue with RemovedComponents
is that it only tells you from which entities a component was removed, but it doesn't provide any information about the component data itself. This means that if you listen to RemovedComponent<ChildOf>
, you won't know which parent the entity was removed from. You could try listening to Changed<Children>
, but this would only work if the Children
component is not removed. If it is removed, you would have to listen to RemovedComponents<Children>
as well, which would still leave you with the same issue as RemovedComponent<ChildOf>
.
The Need for a Better Solution
The removal of HierarchyEvent
has left a gap in the Bevy API that needs to be filled. A better solution is needed that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
. This is where the proposal for a RelationEvent
comes in.
What is a RelationEvent
?
A RelationEvent
would be an event that is triggered when a relation between two entities changes. This would allow developers to detect specific changes to a hierarchy, such as when a child entity is removed from a parent entity. This would provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
, but with a more flexible and extensible API.
Alternative Solutions
One alternative solution that has been proposed is to use component hooks. However, this approach has its own limitations. Component hooks can provide a way to access removed component data, but they are not as flexible or extensible as a RelationEvent
. Additionally, component hooks can be more difficult to use and require more code to implement.
Additional Context
This issue has been brought up before in the Bevy community. In fact, there have been two separate discussions on the Bevy GitHub repository about this issue. The first discussion was in the context of a pull request to add a RelationEvent
to the Bevy API. The second discussion was in the context of a pull request to add a RemovedComponents
event to the Bevy API.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the removal of HierarchyEvent
has left a gap in the Bevy API that needs to be filled. A better solution is needed that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
. The proposal for aRelationEventis a promising solution that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as
HierarchyEvent, but with a more flexible and extensible API. While alternative solutions, such as component hooks, have been proposed, they have their own limitations and are not as flexible or extensible as a
RelationEvent`.
Why HierarchyEvent
is still the best solution
While alternative solutions have been proposed, HierarchyEvent
is still the best solution for detecting specific changes to a hierarchy. This is because HierarchyEvent
provides a simple and straightforward way to detect changes to a hierarchy, without the need for complex code or additional events.
The limitations of RemovedComponents
While RemovedComponents
provides some information about removed components, it has its own limitations. It only tells you from which entities a component was removed, but it doesn't provide any information about the component data itself. This means that you won't know which parent the entity was removed from, or what other changes may have occurred to the hierarchy.
The benefits of a RelationEvent
A RelationEvent
would provide a number of benefits over the current RemovedComponents
event. It would allow developers to detect specific changes to a hierarchy, such as when a child entity is removed from a parent entity. It would also provide a more flexible and extensible API, allowing developers to create custom events and handlers for specific changes to the hierarchy.
The future of Bevy
The future of Bevy is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the removal of HierarchyEvent
has left a gap in the Bevy API that needs to be filled. A better solution is needed that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
. The proposal for a RelationEvent
is a promising solution that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
, but with a more flexible and extensible API.
Conclusion
Introduction
In our previous article, we discussed the removal of HierarchyEvent
from the Bevy API and the need for a better solution to detect specific changes to a hierarchy. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about HierarchyEvent
and the future of Bevy.
Q: What is the current state of HierarchyEvent
in Bevy?
A: HierarchyEvent
has been removed from the Bevy API in version 0.16. This means that developers can no longer use HierarchyEvent
to detect specific changes to a hierarchy.
Q: What is the alternative to HierarchyEvent
?
A: The alternative to HierarchyEvent
is RemovedComponents
. However, as we discussed earlier, RemovedComponents
has its own limitations and does not provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
.
Q: What is a RelationEvent
and how does it differ from HierarchyEvent
?
A: A RelationEvent
is an event that is triggered when a relation between two entities changes. This would allow developers to detect specific changes to a hierarchy, such as when a child entity is removed from a parent entity. A RelationEvent
differs from HierarchyEvent
in that it provides a more flexible and extensible API, allowing developers to create custom events and handlers for specific changes to the hierarchy.
Q: Why is a RelationEvent
needed?
A: A RelationEvent
is needed because HierarchyEvent
was removed from the Bevy API and RemovedComponents
does not provide the same level of detail and accuracy. A RelationEvent
would provide a better solution for detecting specific changes to a hierarchy.
Q: What are the benefits of a RelationEvent
?
A: The benefits of a RelationEvent
include:
- Providing a more flexible and extensible API
- Allowing developers to create custom events and handlers for specific changes to the hierarchy
- Providing a better solution for detecting specific changes to a hierarchy
Q: What are the limitations of RemovedComponents
?
A: The limitations of RemovedComponents
include:
- Only telling you from which entities a component was removed
- Not providing any information about the component data itself
- Not providing a way to detect specific changes to a hierarchy
Q: What is the future of Bevy?
A: The future of Bevy is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the removal of HierarchyEvent
has left a gap in the Bevy API that needs to be filled. A better solution is needed that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
. The proposal for a RelationEvent
is a promising solution that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
, but with a more flexible and extensible API.
Q: How can I contribute to the development of Bevy?
A: You can contribute to the development of Bevy by:
- Reporting bugs and issues on the Bevy GitHub repository
- Proposing features and solutions on the Bevy GitHub repository
- Participating in the Bevy community and providing feedback on the Bevy API
Conclusion
In conclusion, the removal of HierarchyEvent
has left a gap in the Bevy API that needs to be filled. A better solution is needed that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
. The proposal for a RelationEvent
is a promising solution that can provide the same level of detail and accuracy as HierarchyEvent
, but with a more flexible and extensible API. We hope that this Q&A article has provided some insight into the current state of HierarchyEvent
and the future of Bevy.