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Create Function Method

The Create Function method creates a function. It returns to the caller when it encounters an End Function statement or an Exit Function statement. It returns the value that the expression argument calculates.

Format

[Static] [Private] Function name([[Optional ]argument
[As type]][, ... ]) [As funcType]
   name = expression
End Function

The following table describes the arguments that you can use with this method.

Usage

For information about the static and private keywords, see Usage for the Static Keyword and Private Keyword.

A Visual Basic procedure passes values through reference. This means that if a procedure assigns a value to an argument, then it modifies the variable that the caller passes. You must use this feature with caution. For more information, see Pass Values Through Reference.

For information about declaring optional arguments, see Declaring Optional Arguments.

Specifying the Type

Specifying the type character when you use the Create Function method is optional. A function can create and return a single value of a type that you specify. The data type of the value in the name argument determines the type of the return value. You can do one of the following to specify the data type:

• Use a type character as part of the name.
• Use the As funcType clause.

If you do not use one of these formats, then Siebel VB uses the default data type, which is variant.

Specifying the Return Value

You use the following format to specify the return value for the function name:

name = expression

where:

• name is the name of the function
• expression evaluates to a return value

If you do not include this code, then Siebel VB returns one of the following values:

• 0 for a numeric function
• null string ("") for a string function
• An Empty variable type for a return type of variant. For more information, see Variants.

You can use the Sub statement to define a procedure that does not include a return value.

Caution About Writing a Custom Function or Subroutine

If you create more than one function or subroutine in the general declarations section, then you must make sure that any other custom function or subroutine that you create that calls this function or subroutine occurs before the procedure that calls it. Otherwise, you cannot compile your procedures.

CAUTION:  You cannot create a custom function or custom subroutine in a method or event that displays in Siebel Tools. You can create a custom function or custom subroutine in the general declarations section in the script of a method. If your function or subroutine must be available throughout the code, then you can use a PreInvokeMethod method or an external DLL file to store them in a central location. For more information, see doc ID 476501.1 on My Oracle Support.

Example

The following example declares a function that the subroutine calls. The function performs a calculation on the value sent to it. This calculation modifies the value of the variable:

(general) (declarations)
Option Explicit
Declare Function Calculate(i as Single) As Single

Function Calculate(i As Single)
   i = i * 3 + 2
   Calculate = i
End Function

Sub Button_Click
   Dim x as String
   Dim y As Single
   x = 34
   y = val(x)
   Call Calculate(y)
End Sub

For other examples, see Declare Procedure Method, and Example 2.

Related Topics

Call Subroutine Method
Create Subroutine Method
Declare Variable Statement
Declare Global Variable Statement
Force Explicit Declaration Statement
Is Optional Argument Missing Method