Update to version 1.1-7.

Remove useless code in world metatable
Make tiny.world(...) return newworld, ...

README.md

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 # tiny-ecs #
+
+[![License](http://img.shields.io/badge/Licence-MIT-brightgreen.svg)](LICENSE)
+
 Tiny-ecs is an Entity Component System for lua that's simple, flexible, and useful.
 Because of lua's tabular nature, Entity Component Systems are a natural choice
 for simulating large and complex systems. For more explanation on Entity
@@ -8,6 +11,8 @@ Component Systems, here is some
 Tiny-ecs also works well with objected oriented programming in lua because
 Systems and Entities do not use metatables. This means you can subclass your
 Systems and Entities, and use existing lua class frameworks with tiny-ecs, no problem.
+For an example on how to use tiny-ecs with object-oriented lua, take a look at the
+demo branch, specifically the systems and entities sub-directories.
 
 ## Overview ##
 Tiny-ecs has four important types: Worlds, Filters, Systems, and Entities.
@@ -29,7 +34,7 @@ Systems in tiny-ecs describe how to update Entities. Systems select certain Enti
 using a Filter, and then only update those select Entities. Some Systems don't
 update Entities, and instead just act as function callbacks every update. Tiny-ecs
 provides functions for creating Systems easily, as well as creating Systems that
-can be used in an object orientented fashion.
+can be used in an object oriented fashion.
 
 ### Filters ###
 Filters are used to select Entities. Filters can be any lua function, but
@@ -64,7 +69,7 @@ end
 ## Use It ##
 Copy paste tiny.lua into your source folder. For stability and consistent API,
 please use a tagged release or use luarocks. Tagged releases will have a version
-number in `tiny._VERSION`, while other commits will just have the string 'dev'.
+number in `tiny._VERSION`, while other commits will just have the string 'scm'.
 
 ## Luarocks ##
 Tiny-ecs is also on [Luarocks](https://luarocks.org/) and can be installed with
@@ -73,7 +78,7 @@ Tiny-ecs is also on [Luarocks](https://luarocks.org/) and can be installed with
 ## Demo ##
 Check out the [demo](https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs/tree/demo-commandokibbles), a game
 originally written for Ludum Dare 32 with the theme 'An Unconventional Weapon'. The demo uses
-[LOVE](https://love2d.org/), an amazing game framework for lua.
+[LÖVE](https://love2d.org/), an amazing game framework for lua.
 
 ## Testing ##
 Tiny-ecs uses [busted](http://olivinelabs.com/busted/) for testing. Install and run
@@ -83,10 +88,4 @@ Tiny-ecs uses [busted](http://olivinelabs.com/busted/) for testing. Install and
 See API [here](http://bakpakin.github.io/tiny-ecs/doc/).
 For the most up-to-date documentation, read the source code, or generate the HTML
 locally with [LDoc](http://stevedonovan.github.io/ldoc/).
-
-## TODO ##
-
-* More testing
-* Performance testing / optimization
-* Add more System types
-* Improve Documentation
+See the original forum thread [here](https://love2d.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=79937&p=182589).

config.ld

@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ style = '!fixed'
 package = 'tiny-ecs'
 not_luadoc = true
 boilerplate = true
+no_return_or_parms = true

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-3.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-3"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-3"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-4.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-4"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-4"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-5.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-5"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-5"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-6.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-6"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-6"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-7.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-7"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-7"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

spec/tiny_spec.lua

@@ -211,8 +211,21 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
             world:update(1)
             world:setSystemIndex(moveSystem, 2)
             world:update(1)
-            assert.equals(2, world:getSystemIndex(moveSystem))
-            assert.equals(1, world:getSystemIndex(oneTimeSystem))
+            assert.equals(2, moveSystem.index)
+            assert.equals(1, oneTimeSystem.index)
+        end)
+
+        it("Sorts Entities in Sorting Systems", function()
+            local sortsys = tiny.sortedProcessingSystem()
+            sortsys.filter = tiny.requireAll("vel")
+            function sortsys:compare(e1, e2)
+                return e1.vel.x < e2.vel.x
+            end
+            world:add(sortsys)
+            world:update(0)
+            assert.equals(sortsys.entities[1], entity2)
+            assert.equals(sortsys.entities[2], entity3)
+            assert.equals(sortsys.entities[3], entity1)
         end)
 
     end)

tiny-ecs-scm-0.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "scm-0"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

tiny.lua

@@ -23,14 +23,13 @@ CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 -- @author Calvin Rose
 -- @license MIT
 -- @copyright 2015
-local tiny = { _VERSION = "1.1-2" }
+local tiny = { _VERSION = "1.1-7" }
 
 -- Local versions of standard lua functions
 local tinsert = table.insert
 local tremove = table.remove
 local tsort = table.sort
 local pairs = pairs
-local ipairs = ipairs
 local setmetatable = setmetatable
 local type = type
 local select = select
@@ -51,8 +50,8 @@ local tiny_remove
 -- value indicating if the Entity should be processed by the System.
 --
 -- Filters must be added to Systems by setting the `filter` field of the System.
--- Filter's returned by `tiny.requireAll` and `tiny.requireAny` are immutable
--- and can be used by multiple Systems.
+-- Filter's returned by tiny-ecs's Filter functions are immutable and can be
+-- used by multiple Systems.
 --
 --    local f1 = tiny.requireAll("position", "velocity", "size")
 --    local f2 = tiny.requireAny("position", "velocity", "size")
@@ -88,7 +87,6 @@ local tiny_remove
 
 --- Makes a Filter that selects Entities with all specified Components and
 -- Filters.
--- @param ... List of required Components and other Filters.
 function tiny.requireAll(...)
     local components = {...}
     local len = #components
@@ -110,7 +108,6 @@ end
 
 --- Makes a Filter that selects Entities with at least one of the specified
 -- Components and Filters.
--- @param ... List of required Components and other Filters.
 function tiny.requireAny(...)
     local components = {...}
     local len = #components
@@ -132,7 +129,6 @@ end
 
 --- Makes a Filter that rejects Entities with all specified Components and
 -- Filters, and selects all other Entities.
--- @param ... List of required Components and other Filters.
 function tiny.rejectAll(...)
     local components = {...}
     local len = #components
@@ -154,7 +150,6 @@ end
 
 --- Makes a Filter that rejects Entities with at least one of the specified
 -- Components and Filters, and selects all other Entities.
--- @param ... List of required Components and other Filters.
 function tiny.rejectAny(...)
     local components = {...}
     local len = #components
@@ -183,10 +178,15 @@ end
 --
 -- There are also a few other optional callbacks:
 --
---   * `function system:filter(entity)`
---   * `function system:onAdd(entity)`
---   * `function system:onRemove(entity)`
---   * `function system:onModify(dt)`
+--   * `function system:filter(entity)` - Returns true if this System should
+-- include this Entity, otherwise should return false. If this isn't specified,
+-- no Entities are included in the System.
+--   * `function system:onAdd(entity)` - Called when an Entity is added to the
+-- System.
+--   * `function system:onRemove(entity)` - Called when an Entity is removed
+-- from the System.
+--   * `function system:onModify(dt)` - Called when the System is modified by
+-- adding or removing Entities from the System.
 --
 -- For Filters, it is convenient to use `tiny.requireAll` or `tiny.requireAny`,
 -- but one can write their own filters as well. Set the Filter of a System like
@@ -201,11 +201,20 @@ end
 -- system is added to the World. A few are important, and few should be less
 -- commonly used.
 --
+--   * The `world` field points to the World that the System belongs to. Useful
+-- for adding and removing Entities from the world dynamically via the System.
 --   * The `active` flag is whether or not the System is updated automatically.
 -- Inactive Systems should be updated manually or not at all via
 -- `system:update(dt)`. Defaults to true.
---   * The 'entities' field is an ordered list of Entities in the System. This
+--   * The `entities` field is an ordered list of Entities in the System. This
 -- list can be used to quickly iterate through all Entities in a System.
+--   * The `interval` field is an optional field that makes Systems update at
+-- certain intervals using buffered time, regardless of World update frequency.
+-- For example, to make a System update once a second, set the System's interval
+-- to 1.
+--   * The `index` field is the System's index in the World. Lower indexed
+-- Systems are processed before higher indices. The `index` is a read only
+-- field; to set the `index`, use `tiny.setSystemIndex(world, system)`.
 --   * The `indices` field is a table of Entity keys to their indices in the
 -- `entities` list. Most Systems can ignore this.
 --   * The `modified` flag is an indicator if the System has been modified in
@@ -219,20 +228,11 @@ end
 -- this key is considered a System rather than an Entity.
 local systemTableKey = { "SYSTEM_TABLE_KEY" }
 
--- Check if tables are systems.
+-- Checks if a table is a System.
 local function isSystem(table)
     return table[systemTableKey]
 end
 
---- Creates a default System.
--- @param table A table to be used as a System, or `nil` to create a new System.
--- @return A new System or System class
-function tiny.system(table)
-    table = table or {}
-    table[systemTableKey] = true
-    return table
-end
-
 -- Update function for all Processing Systems.
 local function processingSystemUpdate(system, dt)
     local entities = system.entities
@@ -258,24 +258,45 @@ local function processingSystemUpdate(system, dt)
     end
 end
 
---- Creates a Processing System.
+-- Sorts Systems by a function system.sort(entity1, entity2) on modify.
+local function sortedSystemOnModify(system, dt)
+    local entities = system.entities
+    local indices = system.indices
+    local sortDelegate = system.sortDelegate
+    if not sortDelegate then
+        local compare = system.compare
+        sortDelegate = function(e1, e2)
+            return compare(system, e1, e2)
+        end
+        system.sortDelegate = sortDelegate
+    end
+    tsort(entities, sortDelegate)
+    for i = 1, #entities do
+        local entity = entities[i]
+        indices[entity] = i
+    end
+end
+
+--- Creates a new System or System class from the supplied table. If `table` is
+-- nil, creates a new table.
+function tiny.system(table)
+    table = table or {}
+    table[systemTableKey] = true
+    return table
+end
+
+--- Creates a new Processing System or Processing System class. Processing
+-- Systems process each entity individual, and are usually what is needed.
+-- Processing Systems have three extra callbacks besides those inheritted from
+-- vanilla Systems.
 --
--- A Processing System iterates through its Entities in no particluar order, and
--- updates them individually. It has two important fields:
+--     function system:preProcess(entities, dt) -- Called before iteration.
+--     function system:process(entities, dt) -- Process each entity.
+--     function system:postProcess(entity, dt) -- Called after iteration.
 --
---   * `function system:process(entity, dt)`
---   * `function system:filter(entity)`
---
--- There are also a few other optional callbacks, including the optional
--- callbacks in `tiny.system`:
---
---   * `function system:preProcess(entities, dt)`
---   * `function system:postProcess(entities, dt)`
---
--- @param table A table to be used as a System, or `nil` to create a new
--- Processing System.
+-- Processing Systems have their own `update` method, so don't implement a
+-- a custom `update` callback for Processing Systems.
 -- @see system
--- @return A new Processing System or Processing System class
 function tiny.processingSystem(table)
     table = table or {}
     table[systemTableKey] = true
@@ -283,45 +304,31 @@ function tiny.processingSystem(table)
     return table
 end
 
--- Sorts Systems by a function system.sort(entity1, entity2) on modify.
-local function sortedSystemOnModify(system, dt)
-    local entities = system.entities
-    local entityIndices = system.entityIndices
-    local sortDelegate = system.sortDelegate
-    if not sortDelegate then
-        local compare = system.compare
-        sortDelegate = function(e1, e2)
-            compare(system, e1, e2)
-        end
-        system.sortDelegate = sortDelegate
-    end
-    tsort(entities, sortDelegate)
-    for i = 1, #entities do
-        local entity = entities[i]
-        entityIndices[entity] = i
-    end
+--- Creates a new Sorted System or Sorted System class. Sorted Systems sort
+-- their Entities according to a user-defined method, `system:compare(e1, e2)`,
+-- which should return true if `e1` should come before `e2` and false otherwise.
+-- Sorted Systems also override the default System's `onModify` callback, so be
+-- careful if defining a custom callback. However, for processing the sorted
+-- entities, consider `tiny.sortedProcessingSystem(table)`.
+-- @see system
+function tiny.sortedSystem(table)
+    table = table or {}
+    table[systemTableKey] = true
+    table.onModify = sortedSystemOnModify
+    return table
 end
 
---- Creates a Sorted Processing System. A Sorted System iterates through its
--- Entities in a specific order, and updates them individually. It has three
--- important methods:
---
---   * `function system:process(entity, dt)`
---   * `function system:compare(entity1, entity2)`
---   * `function system:filter(entity)`
---
--- Sorted Systems have the same optitonal callbacks as ProcessingSystems.
--- @param table A table to be used as a System, or `nil` to create a new
--- Sorted System.
+--- Creates a new Sorted Processing System or Sorted Processing System class.
+-- Sorted Processing Systems have both the aspects of Processing Systems and
+-- Sorted Systems.
 -- @see system
 -- @see processingSystem
--- @return A new Sorted System or Sorted System class
-function tiny.sortedSystem(table)
+-- @see sortedSystem
+function tiny.sortedProcessingSystem(table)
     table = table or {}
     table[systemTableKey] = true
     table.update = processingSystemUpdate
     table.onModify = sortedSystemOnModify
-    table.sort = sortedSystemOnModify
     return table
 end
 
@@ -338,11 +345,9 @@ end
 local worldMetaTable
 
 --- Creates a new World.
--- Can optionally add default Systems and Entities.
--- @param ... Systems and Entities to add to the World
--- @return A new World
+-- Can optionally add default Systems and Entities. Returns the new World along
+-- with default Entities and Systems.
 function tiny.world(...)
-
     local ret = {
 
         -- List of Entities to add
@@ -360,53 +365,43 @@ function tiny.world(...)
         -- Set of Entities
         entities = {},
 
-        -- Number of Entities in World.
+        -- Number of Entities in World
         entityCount = 0,
 
-        -- List of System Data. A data element is a table with 4
-        -- keys: system, indices, entities, and active.
-        systems = {},
-
-        -- Table of Systems to System Indices
-        systemIndices = {}
+        -- List of Systems
+        systems = {}
     }
 
     tiny_add(ret, ...)
     tiny_manageSystems(ret)
     tiny_manageEntities(ret)
 
-    return setmetatable(ret, worldMetaTable)
-
+    return setmetatable(ret, worldMetaTable), ...
 end
 
 --- Adds an Entity to the world.
 -- Also call this on Entities that have changed Components such that they
--- match different Filters.
--- @param world
--- @param entity
+-- match different Filters. Returns the Entity.
 function tiny.addEntity(world, entity)
     local e2a = world.entitiesToAdd
     e2a[#e2a + 1] = entity
     if world.entities[entity] then
         tiny_removeEntity(world, entity)
     end
+    return entity
 end
 tiny_addEntity = tiny.addEntity
 
---- Adds a System to the world.
--- @param world
--- @param system
+--- Adds a System to the world. Returns the System.
 function tiny.addSystem(world, system)
     local s2a = world.systemsToAdd
     s2a[#s2a + 1] = system
+    return system
 end
 tiny_addSystem = tiny.addSystem
 
---- Shortcut for adding multiple Entities and Systems to the World.
--- @param world
--- @param ... Systems and Entities
--- @see addEntity
--- @see addSystem
+--- Shortcut for adding multiple Entities and Systems to the World. Returns all
+-- added Entities and Systems.
 function tiny.add(world, ...)
     local obj
     for i = 1, select("#", ...) do
@@ -419,32 +414,28 @@ function tiny.add(world, ...)
             end
         end
     end
+    return ...
 end
 tiny_add = tiny.add
 
---- Removes an Entity to the World.
--- @param world
--- @param entity
+--- Removes an Entity to the World. Returns the Entity.
 function tiny.removeEntity(world, entity)
     local e2r = world.entitiesToRemove
     e2r[#e2r + 1] = entity
+    return entity
 end
 tiny_removeEntity = tiny.removeEntity
 
---- Removes a System from the world.
--- @param world
--- @param system
+--- Removes a System from the world. Returns the System.
 function tiny.removeSystem(world, system)
     local s2r = world.systemsToRemove
     s2r[#s2r + 1] = system
+    return system
 end
 tiny_removeSystem = tiny.removeSystem
 
---- Shortcut for removing multiple Entities and Systems from the World.
--- @param world
--- @param ... Systems and Entities
--- @see removeEntity
--- @see removeSystem
+--- Shortcut for removing multiple Entities and Systems from the World. Returns
+-- all removed Systems and Entities
 function tiny.remove(world, ...)
     local obj
     for i = 1, select("#", ...) do
@@ -457,12 +448,12 @@ function tiny.remove(world, ...)
             end
         end
     end
+    return ...
 end
 tiny_remove = tiny.remove
 
 -- Adds and removes Systems that have been marked from the World.
 function tiny_manageSystems(world)
-
         local s2a, s2r = world.systemsToAdd, world.systemsToRemove
 
         -- Early exit
@@ -470,7 +461,6 @@ function tiny_manageSystems(world)
             return
         end
 
-        local systemIndices = world.systemIndices
         local entities = world.entities
         local systems = world.systems
         local system, index, filter
@@ -479,8 +469,8 @@ function tiny_manageSystems(world)
         -- Remove Systems
         for i = 1, #s2r do
             system = s2r[i]
-            index = systemIndices[system]
-            if index then
+            index = system.index
+            if system.world == world then
                 onRemove = system.onRemove
                 if onRemove then
                     entityList = system.entities
@@ -488,27 +478,35 @@ function tiny_manageSystems(world)
                         onRemove(system, entityList[j])
                     end
                 end
-                systemIndices[system] = nil
                 tremove(systems, index)
                 for j = index, #systems do
-                    systemIndices[systems[j]] = j
+                    systems[j].index = j
                 end
             end
             s2r[i] = nil
+
+            -- Clean up System
+            system.world = nil
+            system.entities = nil
+            system.indices = nil
+            system.index = nil
         end
 
         -- Add Systems
         for i = 1, #s2a do
             system = s2a[i]
-            if not systemIndices[system] then
+            if systems[system.index] ~= system then
                 entityList = {}
                 entityIndices = {}
                 system.entities = entityList
                 system.indices = entityIndices
+                if system.active == nil then
                     system.active = true
+                end
                 system.modified = true
+                system.world = world
                 index = #systems + 1
-                systemIndices[system] = index
+                system.index = index
                 systems[index] = system
 
                 -- Try to add Entities
@@ -529,12 +527,10 @@ function tiny_manageSystems(world)
             end
             s2a[i] = nil
         end
-
 end
 
 -- Adds and removes Entities that have been marked.
 function tiny_manageEntities(world)
-
     local e2a, e2r = world.entitiesToAdd, world.entitiesToRemove
 
     -- Early exit
@@ -553,6 +549,7 @@ function tiny_manageEntities(world)
         entity = e2r[i]
         if entities[entity] then
             entities[entity] = nil
+            entityCount = entityCount - 1
 
             for j = 1, #systems do
                 system = systems[j]
@@ -567,7 +564,6 @@ function tiny_manageEntities(world)
                     seis[tmpEntity] = index
                     seis[entity] = nil
                     ses[#ses] = nil
-                    entityCount = entityCount - 1
                     onRemove = system.onRemove
                     if onRemove then
                         onRemove(system, entity)
@@ -580,12 +576,12 @@ function tiny_manageEntities(world)
         e2r[i] = nil
     end
 
-
     -- Add Entities
     for i = 1, #e2a do
         entity = e2a[i]
         if not entities[entity] then
             entities[entity] = true
+            entityCount = entityCount + 1
 
             for j = 1, #systems do
                 system = systems[j]
@@ -597,7 +593,6 @@ function tiny_manageEntities(world)
                     index = #ses + 1
                     ses[index] = entity
                     seis[entity] = index
-                    entityCount = entityCount + 1
                     onAdd = system.onAdd
                     if onAdd then
                         onAdd(system, entity)
@@ -612,25 +607,32 @@ function tiny_manageEntities(world)
 
     -- Update Entity count
     world.entityCount = entityCount
-
 end
 
---- Updates the World.
--- Put this in your main loop.
--- @param world
--- @param dt Delta time
-function tiny.update(world, dt)
+--- Manages Entities and Systems marked for deletion or addition. Call this
+-- before modifying Systems and Entities outside of a call to `tiny.update`.
+-- Do not call this within a call to `tiny.update`.
+function tiny.refresh(world)
+    tiny_manageSystems(world)
+    tiny_manageEntities(world)
+end
+
+--- Updates the World by dt (delta time). Takes an optional parameter, `filter`,
+-- which is a Filter that selects Systems from the World, and updates only those
+-- Systems. If `filter` is not supplied, all Systems are updated. Put this
+-- function in your main loop.
+function tiny.update(world, dt, filter)
 
     tiny_manageSystems(world)
     tiny_manageEntities(world)
 
     local systems = world.systems
-    local system, update, onModify, entities
+    local system, update, interval, onModify
 
     --  Iterate through Systems IN ORDER
     for i = 1, #systems do
         system = systems[i]
-        if system.active then
+        if system.active and ((not filter) or filter(world, system)) then
 
             -- Call the modify callback on Systems that have been modified.
             onModify = system.onModify
@@ -641,8 +643,20 @@ function tiny.update(world, dt)
             -- Update Systems that have an update method (most Systems)
             update = system.update
             if update then
+                interval = system.interval
+                if interval then
+                    local bufferedTime = (system.bufferedTime or 0) + dt
+                    while bufferedTime >= interval do
+                        bufferedTime = bufferedTime - interval
+                        if update then
+                            update(system, interval)
+                        end
+                    end
+                    system.bufferedTime = bufferedTime
+                else
                     update(system, dt)
                 end
+            end
 
             system.modified = false
         end
@@ -650,7 +664,6 @@ function tiny.update(world, dt)
 end
 
 --- Removes all Entities from the World.
--- @param world
 function tiny.clearEntities(world)
     for e in pairs(world.entities) do
         tiny_removeEntity(world, e)
@@ -658,7 +671,6 @@ function tiny.clearEntities(world)
 end
 
 --- Removes all Systems from the World.
--- @param world
 function tiny.clearSystems(world)
     local systems = world.systems
     for i = #systems, 1, -1 do
@@ -667,46 +679,33 @@ function tiny.clearSystems(world)
 end
 
 --- Gets number of Entities in the World.
--- @param world
--- @return An integer
 function tiny.getEntityCount(world)
     return world.entityCount
 end
 
 --- Gets number of Systems in World.
--- @param world
--- @return An integer
 function tiny.getSystemCount(world)
     return #(world.systems)
 end
 
---- Gets the index of a System in the World. Lower indexed Systems are processed
--- before higher indexed systems.
--- @param world
--- @param system
--- @return An integer between 1 and world:getSystemCount() inclusive
+--- Gets the index of the System in the World.
+-- A simpler alternative is `system.index`.
 function tiny.getSystemIndex(world, system)
-    return world.systemIndices[system]
+    return system.index
 end
 
---- Sets the index of a System in the World. Changes the order in
--- which they Systems processed, because lower indexed Systems are processed
--- first.
--- @param world
--- @param system
--- @param index
--- @return Old index
+--- Sets the index of a System in the World, and returns the old index. Changes
+-- the order in which they Systems processed, because lower indexed Systems are
+-- processed first. Returns the old system.index.
 function tiny.setSystemIndex(world, system, index)
-    local systemIndices = world.systemIndices
-    local oldIndex = systemIndices[system]
+    local oldIndex = system.index
     local systems = world.systems
-    local system = systems[oldIndex]
 
     tremove(systems, oldIndex)
     tinsert(systems, index, system)
 
     for i = oldIndex, index, index >= oldIndex and 1 or -1 do
-        systemIndices[systems[i]] = i
+        systems[i].index = i
     end
 
     return oldIndex
@@ -720,6 +719,8 @@ worldMetaTable = {
         addSystem = tiny.addSystem,
         remove = tiny.remove,
         removeEntity = tiny.removeEntity,
+        removeSystem = tiny.removeSystem,
+        refresh = tiny.refresh,
         update = tiny.update,
         clearEntities = tiny.clearEntities,
         clearSystems = tiny.clearSystems,