Null
In the context of computing, null is a value in various programming languages that indicates something is unset, undefined, or invalid. Null exists as a value in both Java and RuneScript, and can occasionally be seen in game by players in certain atypical situations.
The string Null may be visible in interfaces when the config data for an entity is unable to load. For example, opening the Choose Option menu on an item may incorrectly display the name of the item as Null for a brief duration until the data has fully loaded, after which the correct name of the item will be visible.
Null was first observed in RuneScape Classic, such as when viewing the names of other players when using a low-speed internet connection. The term can still occasionally appear when moving between areas like going up and down stairs. It may also be seen immediately after logging in, where the player's name may appear as null temporarily in the chat interface.
In some cases where an item config fails to load, the graphics will render with default values. This can lead to the model with ID 0 being loaded in place of the correct model, resulting in the appearance of a dwarf chathead. In other cases, like viewing grand exchange offers on a beta world, an item can be replaced by dwarf remains which has an item ID (rather than model ID) of 0.
Null entities
[edit | edit source]Items, NPCs, and scenery that have no name defined in the game config are referred to as null entities. In the case of NPCs and scenery, these can be seen normally in the game but have no right-click options and normally cannot be interacted with. Some null scenery, such as the signs seen above banks, have examine text defined in the game source code despite having a null name; since they cannot be interacted with, the examine text can never be seen in game.
Not all null entities can be seen, however. Map icons, for example, are scenery objects with null name and are invisible in the game world, though they still produce sprites on the world map.
Content that has been removed from the game may remain in the game cache but have the name or other fields set to null after the item is removed from players' accounts.
Null items
[edit | edit source]Many null items exist in the game cache for use in various interfaces and animations. Since these items are not intended to be accessible as real items, they will often have no name defined. Examples include:
- Animation items, like the herb bowl shown when using a pestle and mortar.
- Graphics that only appear in the chatbox, like the map icons that appear in dialogues with Tutors.
- Graphics that only appear in specific interfaces, like the individual square tiles when solving a puzzle box.
- Item configs to represent the graphics for each size of stackable item above 1, for items like coins and arrows.
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