Using Procedures, Functions and Properties

The following describes the basic use of procedures, functions and properties in LibreOffice Basic.

note

When you create a new module, LibreOffice Basic automatically inserts a Sub called "Main". This default name has nothing to do with the order or the starting point of a LibreOffice Basic project. You can also safely rename this Subroutine.


note

Some restrictions apply for the names of your public variables, subroutines, functions and properties. You must not use the same name as one of the modules of the same library.


Procedures (Subroutines) functions (Function) and properties (Property) help you maintaining a structured overview by separating a program into logical pieces.

One benefit of procedures, functions and properties is that, once you have developed a program code containing task components, you can use this code in another project.

Passing Variables to Procedures, Functions or Properties

Variables can be passed to both procedures, functions or properties. The Sub Function or Property must be declared to expect parameters:


  Sub SubName(Parameter1 As TYPENAME, Parameter2 As TYPENAME,...)
      ' your code goes here
  End Sub

The Sub is called using the following syntax:


  SubName(Value1, Value2,...)

The parameters passed to a Sub must fit to those specified in the Sub declaration.

The same process applies to a Function. In addition, functions always return a function result. The result of a function is defined by assigning the return value to the function name:


  Function FunctionName(Parameter1 As TYPENAME, Parameter2 As TYPENAME,...) As TYPENAME
      ' your code goes here
      FunctionName=Result
  End Function

The Function is called using the following syntax:


  Variable=FunctionName(Parameter1, Parameter2,...)

Properties combine the syntax of procedures and functions. A property usually requires up to one parameter.


  Private _IsApproved As TYPENAME
  Property Get IsApproved As TYPENAME
      ' your code goes here
      IsApproved = some_computation
  End Property
  Property Let IsApproved(value As TYPENAME)
      ' your code goes here
      _IsApproved = computed_value
  End Property

The Property is called using the following syntax:


  var = IsApproved
  IsApproved = some_value
tip

You can also use the fully qualified name to call a procedure, function or property:
Library.Module.Macro()
For example, to call the Autotext macro from the Gimmicks library, use the following command:
Gimmicks.AutoText.Main()


Overførsel af variable ved værdi eller henvisning

Parametre kan overføre til en procedure, en funktion eller en egenskab enten med henvisning eller med værdi. Med mindre det er specificeret anderledes, overføres en parameter altid med henvisning. Det betyder, at en Sub, en Function eller en Property får parameteren og kan læse og ændre dens værdi.

Hvis du vil overføre en parameter med værdi, indsætter du nøgleordet ByVal foran parametren, når du kalder en Sub, en Function eller en Property, for eksempel:


  Function ReadOnlyParms(ByVal p2, ByVal p2)
      ' your code goes here
  End Function
  result = ReadOnlyParms(parm1, parm2)

In this case, the original content of the parameter will not be modified by the Function since it only gets the value and not the parameter itself.

Definition af valgfrie parametre

Functions, procedures or properties can be defined with optional parameters, for example:


  Sub Rounding(number, Optional decimals, Optional format)
      ' your code goes here
  End Sub

Omfang på variable

A variable defined within a Sub, a Function or a Property, only remains valid until the procedure is exited. This is known as a "local" variable. In many cases, you need a variable to be valid in all procedures, in every module of all libraries, or after a Sub, a Function or a Property is exited.

Declaring Variables Outside a Sub a Function or a Property


Global VarName As TYPENAME

The variable is valid as long as the LibreOffice session lasts.


Public VarName As TYPENAME

Denne variabel er gyldig i alle moduler.


Private VarName As TYPENAME

Denne variabel er kun gyldig i dette modul.


Dim VarName As TYPENAME

Denne variabel er kun gyldig i dette modul.

Eksempel for private variable

Enforce private variables to be private across modules by setting CompatibilityMode(True).


  ' ***** Module1 *****
  Private myText As String
  Sub initMyText
      myText = "Hej"
      Print "I modul1: ", minTekst
  End Sub
   
  ' ***** Module2 *****
  'Option Explicit
  Sub demoBug
      CompatibilityMode( True )
      initMyText
      ' Returnerer nu en tom streng
      ' (eller markerer fejl ved Option Explicit)
      Print "Nu i modul2: ", minTekst
  End Sub

Saving Variable Content after Exiting a Sub a Function or a Property


  Static VarName As TYPENAME

The variable retains its value until the next time the a Function, Sub or Property is entered. The declaration must exist inside a Sub, a Function or a Property.

Specifying the Return Value Type of a Function or a Property

As with variables, include a type-declaration character after the function name, or the type indicated by As and the corresponding data type at the end of the parameter list to define the type of the function or property's return value, for example:


  Function WordCount(WordText As String) As Integer