Arrays and Native Containers

Arrays of C# primitive types, like int[], and Unity primitive types, such as Vector3, are serialized by built-in serialization code. Otherwise, any array of types that aren't handled by the built-in serialization code, such as string[], needs to be handled through a container class or structure that implements the INetworkSerializable interface.

Built-In Primitive Types Example

Using built-in primitive types is fairly straight forward:

[ServerRpc]
void HelloServerRpc(int[] scores, Color[] colors) { /* ... */ }

INetworkSerializable Implementation Example

There are many ways to handle sending an array of managed types. The below example is a simple string container class that implements INetworkSerializable and can be used as an array of "StringContainers":

[ClientRpc]
void SendMessagesClientRpc(StringContainer[] messages) 
{ 
    foreach (var stringContainer in stringContainers)
    {
        Debug.Log($"{stringContainer.SomeText}");
    }
}

public class StringContainer : INetworkSerializable
{
    public string SomeText;
    public void NetworkSerialize<T>(BufferSerializer<T> serializer) where T : IReaderWriter
    {
        if (serializer.IsWriter)
        {
            serializer.GetFastBufferWriter().WriteValueSafe(SomeText);
        }
        else
        {
            serializer.GetFastBufferReader().ReadValueSafe(out SomeText);
        }
    }
}

Native Containers

Netcode for GameObjects supports NativeArray and NativeList native containers with built-in serialization, RPCs, and NetworkVariables. However, you cannot nest either of these containers without causing a crash.

A few examples of nesting that will cause a crash:

• NativeArray<NativeList<T>>
• NativeList<NativeArray<T>>
• NativeArray<NativeArray<T>>
• NativeList<NativeList<T>>

NativeArray<T>

To serialize a NativeArray container, use serializer.SerializeValue(ref Array).

NativeList<T>

To serialize a NativeList container, you must:

1. Ensure your assemblies reference Collections.
2. You must add UNITY_NETCODE_NATIVE_COLLECTION_SUPPORT to your Scriptiong Define Symbols list.
   1. From the Unity Editor top bar menu, go to Edit > Project Settings... > Player.
   2. Select the Other Settings dropdown.
   3. Scroll to Script Compilation > Scripting Define Symbols.
   4. Add UNITY_NETCODE_NATIVE_COLLECTION_SUPPORT.
3. Use serializer.SerializeValue(ref List) as your serialization syntax.

info

When using NativeLists within INetworkSerializable, the list ref value must be a valid, initialized NativeList.

NetworkVariables are similar that the value must be initialized before it can receive updates. For example, public NetworkVariable<NativeList<byte>> ByteListVar = new NetworkVariable<NativeList<byte>>{Value = new NativeList<byte>(Allocator.Persistent)};

RPCs do this automatically.