Functions that return more than 1 value - Such a beast?

[Daren Hawes]

Hi,

I am creating a function for a payment gateway and wondered is there a
way for a function to return 2 or more values.

IE

Function Payment(ByVal ccNumber as String, Byval Amount as Integer) as
String AND Something else!

....
....
Return (Return Status - FAILED)
Return (Reason)
....
....
End Function


Or do I have to use properties?

Thx Daren

 

[Charles Law]

Hi Daren

You could return a structure or a class object, and then fill in the
elements/properties accordingly.

HTH

Charles

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Hi Daren,

I choise for the method from Charles, however you can even do it using a
simple arraylist.

Cor

 

[Imran Koradia]

You could also use ByRef variables.

eg.
Enum eReasons
Passed = 0
Failed = 1
Other =2
end Enum
function Payment(byval ccNumber as String, byval Amount as Integer, _
byref lReason as eReasons, byref sReason as String)

dim lReason as eReasons
dim sReason as String

Call Payment("12345678901234567890", 100, lReason, sReason)

However, as far as I know, this works only for value types.
Ofcourse, if you have multiple values, its better to go with a structure or
object as mentioned earlier..

Imran.

 

[David Anton]

Daren Haweswrote:
Hi,

I am creating a function for a payment gateway and wondered is there a
way for a function to return 2 or more values.

IE

Function Payment(ByVal ccNumber as String, Byval Amount as Integer) as
String AND Something else!

....
....
Return (Return Status - FAILED)
Return (Reason)
....
....
End Function


Or do I have to use properties?

Thx Daren

I think a good rule of thumb is to use a class or structure as others
have indicated, if the data you want returned can be combined into
some intuitive entity. If not, then use multiple ByRef parameters.

 

[Carl Tribble]

Hi Daren,

Have you tried using ByRef arguments?

-Carl

 

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

Daren,
If I used ByRef parameters as the others suggest to return multiple values
from a method, I would seriously consider NOT making it a function, as this
can cause side effects that other programmers using your function are not
aware of.

Return (Return Status - FAILED)

Suggests that you are "returning" an error or exception. If "return status
failed" is really an indication that the process can not be completed! I
would consider throwing an Exception at this point, as returning a "failed
status" can other other programmers using your function to easily ignore the
"failed status" and continue process, where as an Exception, they at least
need to wrap your function in a Try/Finally to ignore the Exception.

Hope this helps
Jay

 

[Andy Becker]

I would consider throwing an Exception at this point, as returning a "failed
status" can other other programmers using your function to easily ignore the
"failed status" and continue process, where as an Exception, they at least
need to wrap your function in a Try/Finally to ignore the Exception.

I =definitely= second that motion! Troubleshooting is a whole lot easier
this way.

Best Regards,

Andy