Unity 2D: How to decrement static int in while loop using deltaTime - unity3d

Question

In my Player script I set a static int called boost to be used from any script.
I have a few boost pick up coins through out the game, when the player gets one it fills their boost tank by +1
You need a min of 3 boost coins to start boosting in the vehicle. When the player is using boost, the boost will last for about as many seconds as many boost coins collected. Using the boost should decrement the boost tank.
Player Script
public static int boost;
private void OnTriggerEnter2D(Collider2D otherObject)
{
if (otherObject.tag == "Boost")
{
boost++;
GetComponent<AudioSource>().PlaySound(BoostSound, 5.7F);
Destroy(otherObject.gameObject);
}
}
Button call code
public void BoostButton()
{
StartCoroutine("Use_VehicleBoost");
}
Booster code that a button calls.
IEnumerator Use_VehicleBoost()
{
// Check which boost package player picked
int boostLevel = SecurePlayerPrefs.GetInt("BoostLevel");
if (boostLevel == 0)
{
Debug.Log("Boost Level: None");
yield return null;
}
else if (boostLevel == 1)
{
Debug.Log("Boost Level: 1");
float aceleRate = 400, maxFWD = -2500;
while (Player.boost >= 3)
{
vehicleController.GetComponent<CarMovement>().accelerationRate += aceleRate;
vehicleController.GetComponent<CarMovement>().maxFwdSpeed += maxFWD;
// Meant to slowly take one point/ Time second away from boost tank // Problem is here ----->>>
Player.boost = Player.boost - Mathf.RoundToInt(Time.deltaTime);
yield return null;
}
if (Player.boost <= 0)
{
yield return null;
}
}
yield return null;
}
Problem is here in this line
Player.boost = Player.boost - Mathf.RoundToInt(Time.deltaTime);
It is supposed to be decrementing with seconds from Player.boost. For example if player collects 3 boost coins then boost is active when used it will last for 3 seconds before turning off.
Not exactly sure on what to do here. They told me that in the while loop the deltaTime stays at value 0 because its stuck in one frame? Am I supposed to start a timer variable? Thank you.

Answer 1

Not exactly sure on what to do here. They told me that in the while
loop the deltaTime stays at value 0 because its stuck in one frame? Am
I supposed to start a timer variable?
Yes, I did say that but you have fixed the one frame issue with yield return null; which let's the loop to wait one frame therefore giving Time.deltaTime chance to change. Even with that being fixed, there is still 0 issue I told you but because while (Player.boost >= 3) is still true. That is true because Mathf.RoundToInt(Time.deltaTime); is returning zero. You can verify this with Debug.Log(Mathf.RoundToInt(Time.deltaTime)).
If Player.boost type is an int, change it to a float type, to gradually decrease it with Time.deltaTime directly:
while (Player.boost >= 3)
{
vehicleController.GetComponent<CarMovement>().accelerationRate += aceleRate;
vehicleController.GetComponent<CarMovement>().maxFwdSpeed += maxFWD;
// Meant to slowly take one point/ Time second away from boost tank
Player.boost = Player.boost - Time.deltaTime;
//OR Player.boost -= Time.deltaTime;
yield return null;
}
If Player.boost type is an int but you don't want to change it to float, remove the Time.deltaTime as that's used for float values then do the waiting with WaitForSeconds. With this you can subtract one from boost after each WaitForSeconds call.
while (Player.boost >= 3)
{
vehicleController.GetComponent<CarMovement>().accelerationRate += aceleRate;
vehicleController.GetComponent<CarMovement>().maxFwdSpeed += maxFWD;
// Meant to slowly take one point/ Time second away from boost tank
Player.boost = Player.boost - 1;
//OR Player.boost -= 1;
yield return new WaitForSeconds(1f);
}