Using Procedures, Functions or Properties /text/sbasic/shared/01020300.xhp procedures functions;using variables;passing to procedures, functions, properties parameters;for procedures, functions or properties parameters;passing by reference or value variables;scope scope of variables GLOBAL variables PUBLIC variables PRIVATE variables functions;return value type return value type of functions

Using Procedures, Functions and Properties

The following describes the basic use of procedures, functions and properties in %PRODUCTNAME Basic.

When you create a new module, %PRODUCTNAME Basic automatically inserts a Sub called "Main". This default name has nothing to do with the order or the starting point of a %PRODUCTNAME Basic project. You can also safely rename this Subroutine. Some restrictions apply for the names of your public variables, subroutines, functions and properties. You must not use the same name as one of the modules of the same library. Procedures (Subroutines) functions (Function) and properties (Property) help you maintaining a structured overview by separating a program into logical pieces. One benefit of procedures, functions and properties is that, once you have developed a program code containing task components, you can use this code in another project.

Passing Variables to Procedures, Functions or Properties

Variables can be passed to both procedures, functions or properties. The Sub Function or Property must be declared to expect parameters: Sub SubName(Parameter1 As TYPENAME, Parameter2 As TYPENAME,...) ' your code goes here End Sub The Sub is called using the following syntax: SubName(Value1, Value2,...) The parameters passed to a Sub must fit to those specified in the Sub declaration. The same process applies to a Function. In addition, functions always return a function result. The result of a function is defined by assigning the return value to the function name: Function FunctionName(Parameter1 As TYPENAME, Parameter2 As TYPENAME,...) As TYPENAME ' your code goes here FunctionName=Result End Function The Function is called using the following syntax: Variable=FunctionName(Parameter1, Parameter2,...) Properties combine the syntax of procedures and functions. A property usually requires up to one parameter. Private _IsApproved As TYPENAME Property Get IsApproved As TYPENAME ' your code goes here IsApproved = some_computation End Property Property Let IsApproved(value As TYPENAME) ' your code goes here _IsApproved = computed_value End Property The Property is called using the following syntax: var = IsApproved IsApproved = some_value You can also use the fully qualified name to call a procedure, function or property:
Library.Module.Macro()
For example, to call the Autotext macro from the Gimmicks library, use the following command:
Gimmicks.AutoText.Main()

Passing Variables by Value or Reference

Parameters can be passed to a procedure, a function or a property either by reference or by value. Unless otherwise specified, a parameter is always passed by reference. That means that a Sub, a Function or a Property gets the parameter and can read and modify its value. If you want to pass a parameter by value insert the key word ByVal in front of the parameter when you call a Sub, a Function or a Property, for example: Function ReadOnlyParms(ByVal p2, ByVal p2) ' your code goes here End Function result = ReadOnlyParms(parm1, parm2) In this case, the original content of the parameter will not be modified by the Function since it only gets the value and not the parameter itself.

Defining Optional Parameters

Functions, procedures or properties can be defined with optional parameters, for example: Sub Rounding(number, Optional decimals, Optional format) ' your code goes here End Sub

Scope of Variables

A variable defined within a Sub, a Function or a Property, only remains valid until the procedure is exited. This is known as a "local" variable. In many cases, you need a variable to be valid in all procedures, in every module of all libraries, or after a Sub, a Function or a Property is exited.

Declaring Variables Outside a Sub a Function or a Property

Global VarName As TYPENAME The variable is valid as long as the %PRODUCTNAME session lasts. Public VarName As TYPENAME The variable is valid in all modules. Private VarName As TYPENAME The variable is only valid in this module. Dim VarName As TYPENAME The variable is only valid in this module.

Example for private variables

Enforce private variables to be private across modules by setting CompatibilityMode(True).from i17948, see i54894 ' ***** Module1 ***** Private myText As String Sub initMyText myText = "Hello" Print "In module1 : ", myText End Sub ' ***** Module2 ***** 'Option Explicit Sub demoBug CompatibilityMode( True ) initMyText ' Now returns empty string ' (or raises error for Option Explicit) Print "Now in module2 : ", myText End Sub

Saving Variable Content after Exiting a Sub a Function or a Property

Static VarName As TYPENAME The variable retains its value until the next time the a Function, Sub or Property is entered. The declaration must exist inside a Sub, a Function or a Property.

Specifying the Return Value Type of a Function or a Property

As with variables, include a type-declaration character after the function name, or the type indicated by As and the corresponding data type at the end of the parameter list to define the type of the function or property's return value, for example: Function WordCount(WordText As String) As Integer

Optional keyword Property Statement Static Statement