My latest request for advice is on the use of object_property_name(e).
I am comparing its value to a string in an array;

if object_property_name[e]) == objtable17[1] then k=1 etc etc

both variables contain the string named --- Tree

However, GG is having none of it and returns a k of 0

If I run if object_property_name[e]) == tree then k=1 end --------k returns 0
If I run if object_property_name[e]) == "tree" then k=1 end --------k returns 1
However, If I run if objtable17[1] == "tree" then k=1 end --------k returns 0
but If I run if objtable17[1] == tree then k=1 end --------k returns1

So I cant compare them as ii am comparing "tree" with tree
I have looked at various String.format functions to no avail.

Can anyone offer some advice on my dilemma?

use tostring() (and tonumber() ) to convert maybe?
if object_property_name[e] == tostring(objtable17[1]) then k=1

Thanks smallg, I did try tostring but i'll try tonumber and see how that goes.

correct, any numeric values being passed need to be numeric as LUA vars take any values and therefore are character in the first instance.

Fantastic Tonumber works a treat - thank you