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Dont understand ByRef


kor
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I have 2 functions and 2 arrays. Arrays X and Y are manipulated in Function 1. I need to pass the entire arrays of X and Y over to function 2 and then manipulate them more in function 2.

I'm searching and it looks like to accomplish this I use ByRef but I don't understand the usage.

Func _1()
    Dim $X = ["1", "2", "3"]
EndFunc   ;==>_1


Func _2()
    For $i = 1 To UBound($X) - 1
        ConsoleWrite($X[$i] & " test" & @CRLF)
    Next
EndFunc

How do I get the array $X over into function 2?

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Func _1()
    Dim $X = ["1", "2", "3"]
    _2($x)
EndFunc   ;==>_1

Func _2(ByRef $array)
    For $i = 1 To UBound($array) - 1
        ConsoleWrite($array[$i] & " test" & @CRLF)
    Next
EndFunc

Note, that $x, while created in _1() will be modified by _2()

Edited by JohnOne

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This is a simple example showing the difference with and without byref:

Dim $X[3] = ["1", "2", "3"]
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $array[0] = ' & $x[0] & @crlf & '>Error code: ' & @error & @crlf) ;### Debug Console
_1($x)
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $array[0] = ' & $x[0] & @crlf & '>Error code: ' & @error & @crlf) ;### Debug Console
_2($x)
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $array[0] = ' & $x[0] & @crlf & '>Error code: ' & @error & @crlf) ;### Debug Console
;
Func _1( $array)
$array[0]=0
EndFunc
;
Func _2(ByRef $array)
$array[0]=0
EndFunc

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John, what do you think of this.

_1()
_2($X)

Func _1()
    Global $X[3] = ["1", "2", "3"]
EndFunc   ;==>_1


Func _2(ByRef $X)
    For $i = 1 To UBound($X) - 1
        ConsoleWrite($X[$i] & " test" & @CRLF)
    Next
EndFunc

In JohnOne's version, one(no pun intended) should only call func _2 from func _1 so that the array variable will exist(perfectly valid as long as one knows the limitation.) Otoh, the way you implemented it, there's no real need for ByRef since it can be accessed globally directly.

ByRef is basically syntactic sugar that allows you to use the variable without having to bother with stuff like pointer dereferencing. Esp. with arrays dereferincing the pointer then using the bracket operator '[]' can get complicated. Much neater to just do it as if the variable was global(at least afa as syntax goes.) Just think of it as the interpreter/compiler dereferencing the pointer for you under the covers. (I'm talking languages where pointers are a data type supported by the language intrinsically.. such as C/C++ Pascal etc.. In effect, if it was Pascal a ByRef is the same as a Var parameter.

Edited by MilesAhead
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