Programmer Defined Functions

A Function is a procedure which returns a single value. Visual Basic has many built-in functions

lblAmount.Text= FormatCurrency(sngAmount,0)

intAgeAmount = CInt(txtAge.Text)

If IsNumeric(txtAmount.Text)


We (programmers) can write our own programmer defined functions.

In Visual Basic a function looks like

Public Function FunctionName([arguments]) [As Datatype]
           
:
           
:
            Return  [Some value]
End Function

You may pass values to Function procedures the same way as you pass values to Sub procedures. The As DataType clause indicates the data type of the value that will be returned from the function. The As DataType clause is required when Option Strict is On.

The Return statement specifies the value (variable or constant) that will be returned to the calling procedure.


For example

Public Function Square(ByVal intNum As Integer) As Long ‘return data type

       
Return intNum ^ 2

End Function


The statement that calls the preceding function might look like

lngAnswer = Square(intNum)

A common use of functions in programs it to return error codes.

:
If ValidValue(txtInput.Text) Then
        :
        :

Public Function ValidValue(ByVal strInput As String) As Boolean
       
Dim decInput As Decimal

       
If IsNumeric(strInput) Then
            decInput = Convert.ToDecimal(strInput)
           
          
 If decInput < 0 Or decInput > 1000 Then
              
 Return False
            Else
                Return True
            End If
        Else
            Return False

       
End If

End Function