Function to return multiple answers?

[Daniel Weiss]

Would it possible to get a function to return multiple answers?
For example
FUNCTION test as c (input as c)
A=�ABC�
B=�DEF�
C=�GHI�
I need the function to return the values for A & B & C

Thank you,
Daniel Weiss

[RupertP]

RE: Function to return multiple answers?

Daniel,
Try using the "Case" function, I think it will return as many as 16.
Rupert

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Function to return multiple answers?


Yes and No.

I think each Function must return a single response. However, if the input parameters are different each response will be different from other responses.

For example, if your function adds two variables and returns the sum, when you pass different input numbers to the function you'll get a different response. However, you'll only get one response each time.

-- tom

[Selwyn Rabins]

RE: Function to return multiple answers?

yes, this can easily be done. you need to read the section in the xbasic reference manual for information on "dot" variables because that is the basis for understanding my answer.

here is how you would do what you want:

FUNCTION test as p (input as c)
A=�ABC�
B=�DEF�
C=�GHI�
test.a = a
test.b = b
test.c = c
end function


now, here is how you use the function

dim x as p
x = test("sample input")

ui_msg_box("the value for a",x.a)
ui_msg_box("the value for b",x.b)
ui_msg_box("the value for c",x.c)

this is an extremely powerful feature of xbasic.

[Daniel Weiss]

RE: Function to return multiple answers?

Thanks Selwyn
This is really a great tool it adds a lot of power to the use of functions. For instance in the following example I use this function to return 15 results of different types (character & numeric), which with out this option I would have to run 15 functions to get my results. It just proves again that �No; it can�t be done� doesn�t exist when using Alpha Five.
Here is an example;
FUNCTION HINGE_RULE AS p (ihinge AS C,iprefix AS C, iwidth AS C,\
iheight AS C, blindw AS N, blindt AS C, sinkw AS N, mwheight AS N, iprice AS N)

the function body ---------------

(footer)
HINGE_RULE.t_hin = ltrim(str(t_hin))
HINGE_RULE.r_hinge = r_hinge
HINGE_RULE.l_hinge = l_hinge
HINGE_RULE.spc_hinge = spc_hinge
HINGE_RULE.r_hinge_q = ltrim(str(r_hinge_q))
HINGE_RULE.l_hinge_q = ltrim(str(l_hinge_q))
HINGE_RULE.spc_hinge_q = ltrim(str(spc_hinge_q))
HINGE_RULE.drawer_f = ltrim(str(drawer_f))
HINGE_RULE.drawers = ltrim(str(drawers))
HINGE_RULE.r_hinge_p = ltrim(str(r_hinge_p))
HINGE_RULE.l_hinge_p = ltrim(str(l_hinge_p))
HINGE_RULE.doors = ltrim(str(doors))
HINGE_RULE.spc_door_q =ltrim(str(spc_door_q))
HINGE_RULE.price =ltrim(str(price))
HINGE_RULE.hinge = hinge

END FUNCTION

Using the function in an �on wrote filed� event
t3 = table.current()

f1 = t3.hinge
f2 = t3.prefix
f3 = t3.Width
f4 = t3.height
f5 = t3.blind_w
f6 = t3.blind_t
f7 = t3.sink_w
f8 = t3.mw_h
f9 = t3.price

dim x as p
x = HINGE_RULE(f1,f2,f3,f4,f5,f6,f7,f8,f9)

t3.r_hinge = x.r_hinge
t3.l_hinge = x.l_hinge
t3.spc_hinge = x.spc_hinge
t3.r_hinge_q = val(x.r_hinge_q)
t3.l_hinge_q = val(x.l_hinge_q)
t3.spc_hinge_q = val(x.spc_hinge_q)
t3.drawer_f = val(x.drawer_f)
t3.drawers = val(x.drawers)
t3.r_hinge_p = val(x.r_hinge_p)
t3.l_hinge_p = val(x.l_hinge_p)
t3.doors = val(x.doors)
t3.spc_door_q = val(x.spc_door_q)
t3.hinge = x.hinge
t3.price = val(x.price)
if invitmfrm_inuse = .t.
drawer_f.refresh()
drawers.refresh()
r_hinge.refresh()
r_hinge_p.refresh()
r_hinge_q.refresh()
l_hinge.refresh()
l_hinge_p.refresh()
l_hinge_q.refresh()
spc_hinge.refresh()
spc_hinge_q.refresh()
doors.refresh()
spc_door_q.refresh()
price.refresh()
end if
end

Daniel Weiss

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Function to return multiple answers?


I see. To me it seems similar to returning an array, with separately computed elements. Using the dot notation you can then parse the 'array' to see the results of each calculation. Will be very handy. -- tom