Unity ECS Skill

Data-Oriented Technology Stack (DOTS) and Entity Component System development for Unity.

Overview

This skill provides capabilities for implementing high-performance gameplay systems using Unity's Entity Component System, Jobs System, and Burst compiler.

Capabilities

Entity Component System

Create IComponentData structs
Implement ISystem and SystemBase
Manage entity archetypes
Handle entity queries and batching

Jobs System

Create IJob implementations
Implement IJobEntity for entity processing
Handle job dependencies and scheduling
Manage native containers

Burst Compiler

Enable Burst compilation for jobs
Optimize with SIMD instructions
Profile Burst-compiled code
Handle Burst limitations

Hybrid Workflow

Bridge ECS with GameObjects
Use companion components
Convert existing systems to ECS
Implement baking workflow

Prerequisites

Unity 2022.3+ recommended
Entities package (1.0+)
Mathematics package
Burst package

Usage Patterns

Component Data

public struct MoveSpeed : IComponentData
{
    public float Value;
}

public struct Velocity : IComponentData
{
    public float3 Value;
}

System Implementation

[BurstCompile]
public partial struct MovementSystem : ISystem
{
    [BurstCompile]
    public void OnUpdate(ref SystemState state)
    {
        float deltaTime = SystemAPI.Time.DeltaTime;

        foreach (var (transform, velocity) in
            SystemAPI.Query<RefRW<LocalTransform>, RefRO<Velocity>>())
        {
            transform.ValueRW.Position += velocity.ValueRO.Value * deltaTime;
        }
    }
}

Job Example

[BurstCompile]
public partial struct MovementJob : IJobEntity
{
    public float DeltaTime;

    void Execute(ref LocalTransform transform, in Velocity velocity)
    {
        transform.Position += velocity.Value * DeltaTime;
    }
}

Best Practices

Keep components small and focused
Use Burst for all performance-critical jobs
Batch entity operations
Minimize structural changes
Profile with Entity Debugger

unity-ecs