Single versus Multiple Functions

[mr-es335]

Good day,

In my understanding, a "Function" should perform a single operation. Multiple Functions can be "pieced together" to perform larger tasks. For example:

One separate function
Func _GeFirstString()
"Hello"
End Func
==========================================================
A second separate function
Func _GetSecondString()
"World"
End Func
==========================================================
A combined function
_OutputBothStrings...which consists of...

; ---------------------------
_GeFirstString()
_GetSecondString()
; ---------------------------
Func _CombinedMe
_GeFirstString() & _GetSecondString() = _CombinedStrings
End Func
; ---------------------------

Question 2a: What is the "combined" function referred to as? ...or...
Question 2b: What do you call a group of functions placed "...one-after-the-other..." in a single script?

Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time...appreciated!

[AndrewG]

Hello Mr-es335,

Here is a good explanation:

"Functions are "self contained" modules of code that accomplish a specific task. Functions usually "take in" data, process it, and "return" a result. Once a function is written, it can be used over and over and over again. Functions can be "called" from the inside of other functions."
https://users.cs.utah.edu/~germain/PPS/Topics/functions.html

The examples you provided to demonstrate your question, multiple functions are not necessary in this case. It is perfectly acceptable to write one function to perform the task of joining two strings together.

Func _HelloWorld()
    Local $sStringOne = "Hello"
    Local $sStringTwo = "World"
    Local $sCombine = $sStringOne & $sStringTwo
    Return $sCombine
EndFunc

Global $sHelloWorld = _HelloWorld()

ConsoleWrite(@CRLF & "!> " & $sHelloWorld & @CRLF & @CRLF)

Question 2a: What is the "combined" function referred to as?
Combining or the joining of two or more strings is referred to as  concatenation.

Question 2b: What do you call a group of functions placed "...one-after-the-other..." in a single script?
A group of functions. A library. A program. I don't think there is a specific name for what you are asking about here.

 

[Melba23]

mr-es335,

I would also say that a function is a block of code intended to be used several times within the same script - if it to be used just the once then there would be be little point in creating one as you might as well add the relevant lines in the main script where required.

The exception would be if you were writing a library - such as the standard include files that come with AutoIt - which are designed to offer simplicity of use to the user by allowing complicated functions to be called by a one-line command from another script.

M23