Parameters

[Noviceatthis]

Hello all

sorry for asking such a bogstandard question, but I've been struggling with this since I started learning this language

Func max($x, $y)
If $x > $y Then
Return $x
Else
Return $y
EndIf
EndFunc

in the script above, why the use of the parameters after the the max function, would the below script not just do the same??

Func max()
If $x > $y Then
Return $x
Else
Return $y
EndIf
EndFunc

again, sorry for the basic level of the question, suppose it reflects my understanding

P. S. It's not just this script I have a problem with, it's the use of parameters in general

Edited March 9, 2013 by Noviceatthis

[nitekram]

Your first example allows you to use the script FUNCTION many times, with different values.

The second one will run, and unless the two variables are global and are changed outside the function - it will return the same results, each time.

Edited March 9, 2013 by nitekram

[PhoenixXL]

Check if this example helps you out

Global $x = 10, $y = 2

Func max_g()
If $x > $y Then Return $x
Return $y
EndFunc   ;==>max_g

Func max_l($x, $y) ;<<<<<<<< The $x and $y are the local paramteres not the global one
If $x > $y Then Return $x
Return $y
EndFunc   ;==>max_l

MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_g()) ; Returns $x(global)
MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_l(2, 20))  ;Returns $y (local - 2nd parameter)

$x = 5 ;change the value of global vars
$y = 5
MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_g()) ;Returns $y(global)

[Noviceatthis]

thanks nitekram and PhoenixXL, I just seem to have a mental block when it comes to this topic, I will get my head round it

[Noviceatthis]

got it now, thanks again

[nitekram]

Glad you got a hold of it. I have found it hard to make a function with variables reusable, but once you learn how to really take advantage of this, it will help make for quick work out of your projects.

One more thing about parameters and calling functions with them. DEFAULT values. In fact you can have a default value for every parameter you have in your function. All defaults must be last in your list of variables in your function calls. So in the case you are looking at, say $y had a value of 3.14159 (Pi) and wanted to use that value most of the time - then you could call it like below.

; borrowed code ;)

Global $x = 10, $y = 2

Func max_g()
If $x > $y Then Return $x
Return $y
EndFunc ;==>max_g

Func max_l($x, $y = 3.14159) ;<<<<<<<< The $x and $y are the local paramteres not the global one, $y has a default 3.14159
If $x > $y Then Return $x
Return $y
EndFunc ;==>max_l

MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_g()) ; Returns $x(global)
MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_l(2, 20)) ;Returns $y (local - 2nd parameter)
MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_l(0)) ;Returns $y (local - 2nd parameter), but you only called it with one parameter
$x = 5 ;change the value of global vars
$y = 5
MsgBox( 0, @ScriptName, max_g()) ;Returns $y(global)

Edited March 9, 2013 by nitekram

[guinness]

Everyone is aware that _Max & _Min are in the standard includes? I would have just looked at them for learning purposes.

[nitekram]

Yes, I was just using OP example.