Cancel a prompt without leaving blank space?

Question

Twine 2.1.3, Harlowe 2.0.1:

So, I've got this code here:

(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your first name?", "Type your name here"))

Your name is $name.

[[Okay|okayName]]

But if the prompt is cancelled (say you change your mind) then I have a blank space where $name is, which is funny, but not what I want. I'd like to go to the previous passage. Can't figure that one out... Thanks.

Answer 1

Cancelling the prompt yields an empty string, so you can check for an empty string and return to the previous passage if necessary:

(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your first name?", "Type your name here"))
(if: $name is "")[(undo:)]

[[Okay|okayName]]

I prefer adding a dash of snark. This version assumes you've been to at least one previous passage, and the current passage is called "GetName". It reloads the prompt until they make an effort:

(if: (history:)'s last is "GetName")[
	(set: $name to (prompt: "No, REALLY. I need your first name.", "Type your name here. For real."))
](else:)[
	(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your first name?", "Type your name here"))
]
(if: $name is "" or "Type your name here")[(goto: "GetName")]

Your name is $name.

[[Okay|okayName]]

 

Comments

Thanks, geekdragon, that works well, and I wasn't aware of the "undo:" macro so I learned something new. Appreciate having the snarky option for possible future snarkiness.