[RESOLVED] Using function name as return value

[DigiRev]

I've never done it like this, but I do see code that does pretty often. It seems like it would be bad practice, but also that it would be faster and not cause any problems.

Example:

'Example #1
Private Function GenerateString(ByVal Length As Long) As String
    
    Dim l As Long
    
    For l = 1 To Length
        GenerateString = GenerateString & Chr$(Int(Rnd * 255) + 1)
    Next l
    
End Function
 
'Example #2
Private Function GenerateString(ByVal Length As Long) As String
    
    Dim l As Long
    
    GenerateString = Space$(Length)
    
    For l = 1 To Length
        Mid$(GenerateString, l, 1) = Chr$(Int(Rnd * 255) + 1)
    Next l
    
End Function

vs.

Private Function GenerateString(ByVal Length As Long) As String
    
    Dim l As Long, strReturn As String
    
    For l = 1 To Length
        strReturn = strReturn & Chr$(Int(Rnd * 255) + 1)
    Next l
    
    GenerateString = strReturn
    
End Function

[techgnome]

your third example is the way I do it... but that's related to my background and training. The first two examples have always bothered me. Not because they are prone to problems, but because it seems unnatural (and harder to read.)

-tg

[MartinLiss]

Why create the extra String variable when for all intents and purposes GenerateString is already a String?

[DigiRev]

Why create the extra String variable when for all intents and purposes GenerateString is already a String?

That's what I wondered.

VB functions don't return to the caller until the code is finished executing, encounters an error, or encounters an Exit Function statement, so I don't really see a problem. It just seemed like bad practice but I think I might start doing it like that anyway.

[LaVolpe]

DigiRev, I personally have used both but tend to using the function name directly. I also do some other stuff also which may seem unnatural, borrowing techgnome's terminology.

For example, why create the variable l when you can reuse Length since it is ByVal?

Private Function GenerateString(ByVal Length As Long) As String
    
    ' Dim l As Long
    
    GenerateString = Space$(Length)
    
    For Length = 1 To Length
        Mid$(GenerateString, Length, 1) = Chr$(Int(Rnd * 255) + 1)
    Next Length 
    
End Function

[abhijit]

DigiRev, I personally have used both but tend to using the function name directly. I also do some other stuff also which may seem unnatural, borrowing techgnome's terminology.

For example, why create the variable l when you can reuse Length since it is ByVal?

Private Function GenerateString(ByVal Length As Long) As String
    
    ' Dim l As Long
    
    GenerateString = Space$(Length)
    
    For Length = 1 To Length
        Mid$(GenerateString, Length, 1) = Chr$(Int(Rnd * 255) + 1)
    Next Length 
    
End Function

That's what I wondered.

VB functions don't return to the caller until the code is finished executing, encounters an error, or encounters an Exit Function statement, so I don't really see a problem. It just seemed like bad practice but I think I might start doing it like that anyway.

Wouldn't that make your code hard to understand?

[techgnome]

I personally find it hard to follow. Plus, I've also been bitten by this when an error happens... what state is your return value? I'd rather control & build/set/calc/whatever a local variable, then have one exit point where it is returned. I've never liked the VB6 method of returning values from functions anyways. But it might be based on my background.

-tg

[LaVolpe]

Harder, easier to follow? Proper, not proper?
Personal preferences. The key question is: "Is it correct syntax and does it work"? It does.

However, if one is part of a coding team/company, then the team/company's standards should always be adhered to. Else you are only bound by your own whims.