Getting Started

Getting started with Save System Lite takes less than a minute. This page covers the core concepts, namespaces, and standard architectures of the system.

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🏛️ Core Concepts

Before writing save and load logic, it’s helpful to understand the underlying framework:

1. The Active Slot: Save System Lite runs on an active slot indexing system (Slot 0, 1, or 2). All save and load operations will query this selected active slot unless specified otherwise.
2. Whole-Object Serialization: You can pass any standard C# class containing player data directly to SaveSystemLite.Save(). The engine serializes the entire object to a single file.
3. Key-Value Variable Database: Alternatively, you can save and load individual variables directly under unique string keys (e.g., SaveValue("high_score", 500)). The system handles the backing key-value slot dictionary automatically.

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🛠️ Step 1: Using the Namespace

To use the Save System Lite API, add the namespace declaration at the top of your C# scripts:

using DecnetGames.SaveSystemLite;

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🛠️ Step 2: Slot Selection

Select the active save slot when your player loads their profile or selects a slot from a save/load menu:

// Set active slot to Slot 1
SaveSystemLite.SetSlot(1);

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🛠️ Step 3: Performing a Save Operation

You can serialize a full class object, or update specific variables in the database.

Method A: Saving a Class Object

[System.Serializable]
public class GameSaveData
{
    public int goldAmount;
    public string currentStage;
}

// In your game controller:
GameSaveData myData = new GameSaveData { goldAmount = 100, currentStage = "Chapter 1" };
bool success = SaveSystemLite.Save(myData);

Method B: Saving Key-Values

SaveSystemLite.SaveValue("player_health", 85f);
SaveSystemLite.SaveValue("player_color", Color.yellow);

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🛠️ Step 4: Loading Saved Data

To restore data at startup or scene transitions:

Loading a Class Object

GameSaveData myData = SaveSystemLite.Load<GameSaveData>();
if (myData != null)
{
    Debug.Log($"Restored! Gold: {myData.goldAmount}");
}

Loading Key-Values

float health = SaveSystemLite.LoadValue<float>("player_health", 100f); // Default to 100f if key missing
Color playerColor = SaveSystemLite.LoadValue<Color>("player_color", Color.white);

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Pro Tip: To inspect what is being written to disk in real-time, keep the Tools > Save System Lite > Save Inspector window open while running your game in the editor!