getChildByName() returns null [bug]

Cocos Creator
1

Hi,
I wanted to reach child by name and used getChildByName()

Here is my codes

onLoad: function() {
   var node = this.node
   var childNode = node.getChildByName("Child")
}

My node tree:

How can I reach childs by name.

I know I can use it but there will be a lot of game object and I can not drag all of them…

properties: {
    childNode: {
        default: null,
        type: cc.Label
    },
},
2

Which node is your script attached to? GetChildByName only looks for direct children, if your script is attached to lets say “content” node, you will have to do

var childNode = this.node.getChildByName("Parent").getChildByName("Child");

to reach “Child”

Also double check for typos. When something essential suddenly stops working it’s 100% guaranteed you’ve just made a typo. A "Child " (with a spacebar) node or something :slight_smile:

3

Hi
My script attached to Parent node.

When I attach script to canvas, I can get “Background” as child.

But if I attach script to Parent, I cant get “Child” or “Child 2”.

4

try running this:

for(var i = 0; i < this.node.children.length; i++) {		// iterate through children by index
	var childById = this.node.children[i];
	var name = childById.name;				// get child node's name
	console.log(name);
	var childByName = this.node.getChildByName(name);	// get child by name
	console.log(childByName == childById);			// compare them to make sure getChildByName works properly
}

If it outputs true, then you’re using wrong name, if it doesn’t well… Your cocos broke in some mysterious way then

5

I am pretty sure there is a bug but nobody interests it…

6

I assume you added the child node through Cocos Creator and the node tree looks like this:

ThisNode
 |- Child

This node has the label component so you can access it like

var label = this.node.getChildByName("Child").getComponent(cc.Label);

If it does not work, please check the debugger and look for the child node and its name property
this. node. _children[n]. _name

Or if you add your node in the script component it should look like this:

var node = new cc.Node();
node.addComponent(cc.Label);
this.node.addChild(node, 1, "Child");
var label = this.node.getChildByName("Child").getComponent(cc.Label);

Please let me know if you’ve succeded.

1 Like
7

Silly me I haven’t checked your attached image…
So you have the script component on your ‘Parent’ node and cannot retrieve the node named ‘Child’.
Still, check the debugger. Maybe you can find out more this way.

8

Can you upload your project somewhere and share with us? I’ve been using Cocos Creator for over a month now and have never run into any issues with getChildByName method. Maybe you’re having some compile errors?

9

I deleted project thanks for replies @persy and @Norbt

10

Good to know we’ve helped :smile:

11

after v1.1, problem was solved.