ss14-common-api-patterns

name	ss14-common-api-patterns
description	Common SS14 EntitySystem API patterns for dependencies, prototypes, audio, popups, appearance, containers, DoAfter, timing, admin logs, CVars, and public system APIs. Use when implementing reusable game logic in SS14-ART-CORE.

SS14 Common API Patterns

EntitySystem APIs

• Use [Dependency] fields for other systems and managers.
• Use EntitySystem proxy helpers when available.
• Public methods that act on entities should start with Entity<T?> arguments and resolve components.
• Prefer TryX, CanX, and setter methods over direct external component mutation.

Data APIs

• Use IPrototypeManager and ProtoId<T> for prototypes.
• Store IDs, not cached prototype objects, unless the local pattern requires caching.
• Use CVarDef<T> in subsystem-specific CVar classes.
• Use TimeSpan and IGameTiming.CurTime for simulation time.

Presentation APIs

• Use localized strings for popups, examine text, UI labels, and admin-facing player text.
• Use predicted popup/audio APIs in predicted paths.
• Use ToPrettyString for entities in admin logs.

Resource Specifiers

• Use SoundSpecifier for sounds.
• Use SpriteSpecifier for sprites/textures.
• Prefer sound collections when reusable.

Bundled References

• references/entitysystem-functions.md: public system APIs, dependencies, Resolve, and mutation boundaries.
• references/prototype-manager-and-spawn.md: prototype lookups, typed IDs, spawning, and avoiding magic IDs.
• references/audio-popup-random.md: predicted feedback, localization, random, and user-facing effects.