Unable to change array size in Inspector variable in Unity?

From what I have read this is how a vector "Size" is set

public Color[] teamAColors = new Color[4];

But when the code is run it looks like this

It doesn't seem to matter what number I put for the [4], the Size always stays 6. I am not sure where the 6 number is even coming from as I have not set anything to that number.

I have even tried to

 public Color[] teamAColors;

And then let my array auto populate the Length, but that doesn't change the 6 either.

Solution 1:

Try hitting 'Reset' from the gear-button on the component. It will reset all filled entries, but it should remove the cached size.

I hope that helps!

Solution 2:

It's simply

 public Color[] teamAColors;

But what about that "6" value that "won't go away"?

BUT YOU'VE STUMBLED ON TO THE "RESET" GOTCHYA IN UNITY!

Just try it with a different variable name...

public Color[] teste;

See?

There it is, working fine. You can set the size dynamically, so long as you never put the size in the code.

Here is the secret:

Unity "holds on to" serialized values in a complicated way.

If you set the size in code even once, Unity "remembers" this even if you subsequently change the code.

There is a way to reset this "inner" value .. look for the famous tiny reset button.

It is attached to the tiny Cog symbol.

The critical rule to remember is this:

NEVER, EVER, HAVE A DEFAULT VALUE IN CODE FOR PUBLIC VARIABLES IN UNITY!!

public float x;  // do this

public float x=2f;  // generally NEVER DO THIS

While you're at it, here's an incredibly handy trick. Try this ...

[Header("How good is this?")]
public float x;

Here's an even cooler one! try it!

[Range(2f,4f)]
public float x;