> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://postica.gitbook.io/binding-system-3/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://postica.gitbook.io/binding-system-3/reference/bind-flags.md). # BindFlags The flags behind everything the bind menu toggles. `BindFlags` is a 32-bit bitmask on every binding. Almost everything the bind menu switches is one of these, so this page doubles as the reference for the serialized data you may see in a diff. There is a second, smaller enum, `BindFlags2`, for the lifecycle update points that did not fit. ## Behaviour

Flag	What it does
`None`	Nothing set.
`LiveDebug`	Show every pipeline stage's value each frame. See Live Debug.
`ShowPathValuePreview`	Show the value at the end of the path. See Path Value Preview.
`AutoUpdate`	Refresh once per frame, between `Update` and `LateUpdate`. The only automatic update a `Bind<T>` field has. Enabled implicitly when something subscribes to a change event.
`EnableEvents`	Enable the serialized `UnityEvent` on this binding.
`SourceNotNeeded`	This binding works without a source. What the Nothing menu entry sets.
`PropagateUndefinedValue`	A null anywhere in the path yields null, or the default for a value type, instead of logging an error and leaving the value unchanged. The Propagate Nulls option.
`OptimizeUpdate`	Only do work when the source is active and the data changed. See Optimized Update.
`UseTimeUpdateInterval`	The interval is in seconds rather than frames.
`UIInitialized`	Editor bookkeeping.

## Update points These are read by `BindProxy`, so they take effect on a [proxy binding](/binding-system-3/overview/proxy-bindings.md) and are ignored on a `Bind` field. The equivalent for a bind field is `AutoUpdate` above. See [Two Ways to Bind](/binding-system-3/overview/two-ways-to-bind.md).

Flag	What it does
`UpdateInEditor`	Update at edit time, without play mode.
`UpdateOnChange`	Update when the source value changes.
`UpdateOnUpdate`	Read before `Update`, write after.
`UpdateOnFixedUpdate`	Read before `FixedUpdate`, write after.
`UpdateOnLateUpdate`	Read before `LateUpdate`, write after.
`UpdateOnPrePostRender`	Read before the frame renders, write immediately after, which lands in the next frame.
`UpdateOnEnable`	Update when the context GameObject is activated.

### BindFlags2

Flag	What it does
`UpdateOnAwake`	The value is ready inside your `Awake`.
`UpdateOnStart`	Ready inside your `Start`. Not available when the context is an asset.
`UpdateOnDisable`	Ready inside `OnDisable`.
`UpdateOnDestroy`	Ready inside `OnDestroy`.

See [Bind Modes and Update Points](/binding-system-3/overview/modes-and-updates.md). ## Source modes Each mode is a combination of three bits, so they are **mutually exclusive**, not additive. Use the named values.

Flag	What it does
`SourceByValue`	0. A direct object reference. The default.
`SourceByVariable`	A named bind variable.
`SourceByNameOrPath`	A GameObject name, or a slash path.
`SourceByTag`	The first object with a tag.
`SourceByPattern`	A wildcard path. Expensive.
`SourceInContext`	Search from the owning object outwards.
`SourceInScene`	Search all loaded scenes for a type.
`SourceByStatic`	No instance. The path resolves against a type.

See [Sources](/binding-system-3/overview/sources.md). ## Search modes Combine with `SourceByNameOrPath`, `SourceByTag` or `SourceInContext`.

Flag	What it does
(none)	Only the object found.
`SearchInChildren`	The object and its children.
`SearchInParents`	The object and its parents.
`SearchInHierarchy`	Children first, then parents, so the closest match wins.

## Working with them in code `Flags` is read-only on bind data. Change it through `TryEnableFlag`: ```csharp var data = new BindData(source, "position.x", null, -1); data.TryEnableFlag(BindFlags.UpdateOnLateUpdate, true); data.TryEnableFlag(BindFlags.OptimizeUpdate, true); data.TryEnableFlag(BindFlags.LiveDebug, false); if (data.HasFlags(BindFlags.OptimizeUpdate)) { /* ... */ } ``` Extension methods on the enum itself: ```csharp flags.HasFlagFast(BindFlags.UpdateOnUpdate); // aggressively inlined test flags.HasAnyOfFlags(BindFlags.SearchAllFlags); flags = flags.WithFlag(BindFlags.AutoUpdate); flags = flags.WithoutFlag(BindFlags.LiveDebug); flags = flags.ClearReservedFlags(); // before persisting ``` {% hint style="warning" %} Several bits are reserved (`__Reserved`, `__ReservedFlag1` to `3`, and bits 29 to 31 for future extensions). Do not set them, and clear them with `ClearReservedFlags()` before persisting a value you assembled yourself. {% endhint %} ## Composed values Convenience combinations, mostly for masking rather than for setting:

Value	What it is
`SourceModeAllFlags`	The three source-mode bits.
`SearchAllFlags`	All search combinations.
`SourceAllFlagsAndSearchAllFlags`	Both groups.
`FlagsToClear`	The reserved bits, cleared before persistence.