why doesnt a variable stick around after a function?

[kor]

$var = "test"
$var2 = "site1"

Select
    Case $var = "test"
        msgbox(0, '', "condition true")
        _Function()
        msgbox(0, '', $newvar)
    Case Else
        ; error
EndSelect

Func _Function()
Select
    Case $var2 = "site1"
        $newvar = "you are at site 1"
    Case $var2 = "site2"
        $newvar = "you are at site 2"
    Case Else
        ; error location
EndSelect
EndFunc

When running this code I get variable used without being declared when trying to get the $newvar output in a msgbox after the function runs inside the loop. What am I doing wrong?

Edited January 18, 2011 by kor

[ZacUSNYR]

It's all about scope.

When you declare a variable in a function it becomes a local scope. When the function ends, the local scope goes away.

Global $varname1
_TestFunction()
ConsoleWrite($varname1)

Func _TestFunction()
   $varname1 = "Test!"
EndFunc

Is an example of a global.

Variable scope is a essential part of any language - you can find a lot of information just going to google and searching. Poor use of Globals/Locals/Functions can result in variables contents "randomly" changing, difficulty debugging, incorrect expected results, and a whole other slew of messes

[nitekram]

try just returning the new variable

so at the end of your function put

Return $newvar

[kor]

$var = "test"
$var2 = "site1"
Global $newvar

Select
    Case $var = "test"
        msgbox(0, '', "condition true")
        _Function()
        msgbox(0, '', $newvar)
    Case Else
        ; error
EndSelect

Func _Function()
Select
    Case $var2 = "site1"
        $newvar = "you are at site 1"
    Case $var2 = "site2"
        $newvar = "you are at site 2"
    Case Else
        ; error location
EndSelect
EndFunc

I see. So by declaring $newvar as a global variable it "exists" everywhere within the script? What is the syntax for declaring multiple global vars?

Global $var1 $var2 $var

??? Do I need to separate by commas or anything?

[ZacUSNYR]

$var = "test"
$var2 = "site1"
Global $newvar

Select
    Case $var = "test"
        msgbox(0, '', "condition true")
        _Function()
        msgbox(0, '', $newvar)
    Case Else
        ; error
EndSelect

Func _Function()
Select
    Case $var2 = "site1"
        $newvar = "you are at site 1"
    Case $var2 = "site2"
        $newvar = "you are at site 2"
    Case Else
        ; error location
EndSelect
EndFunc

I see. So by declaring $newvar as a global variable it "exists" everywhere within the script? What is the syntax for declaring multiple global vars?

Global $var1 $var2 $var

??? Do I need to separate by commas or anything?

Yea you'd do it with commas

Global $var1, $var2, $var3

There is also the ability to use the local scope and return or "byref" a variable in the local scope

Like what nitekram was talking about above.

$var1 = _TestFunction()
ConsoleWrite($var1)

Func _TestFunction()
    Local $newvar1 = "20"
    Return $newvar1
EndFunc

[ZacUSNYR]

An example of using ByRef

$siteID = 10
ConsoleWrite($siteID & @CRLF)
_GetLocationName($siteID)
ConsoleWrite($siteID)

Func _GetLocationName(ByRef $locationID)
    Switch $locationID
        Case 0 To 10
            $locationID = "Home"
        Case 11 To 20
            $locationID = "Work"
        Case Else
            Return 0
    EndSwitch
EndFunc

You can see the function is in local scope ($locationID) but when you modify $locationID, $siteID in the "main", will change to what you declared it to. Which is sorta like what you're looking to do in your example above.

All just basic examples.

Edited January 18, 2011 by ZacUSNYR

[Melba23]

kor,

There is a Variables - using Global, Local and ByRef tutorial in the Wiki which you might find useful.

M23