Positron Compiler Documentation

Procedure Return Variable

Positron8 · Revision 4.0.6.5 · PDF pages 45–46

A procedure can return a variable of any type, making it useful for inclusion within expressions. The variable type to return is added to the end of the procedure's template. For example:

Proc MyProc(), SByte
  Result = 10
EndProc

All variable types are allowed as return parameters and follow the same syntax rules as Dim. Note that a return name is not required, only a type. For example:

Proc MyProc(), [12] as Byte    ' Procedure returns a 12 element byte array
Proc MyProc(), [12] as Word    ' Procedure returns a 12 element word array
Proc MyProc(), [12] as Dword   ' Procedure returns a 12 element dword array
Proc MyProc(), [12] as Float   ' Procedure returns a 12 element float array
Proc MyProc(), String * 12     ' Procedure returns a 12 character string

In order to return a value, the text “Result” is used. Internally, the text Result will be mapped to the procedure’s return variable. For example:

Proc MyProc(pBytein as Byte), Byte
  Result = pBytein ' Transfer the parameter directly to the return variable
EndProc

The Result variable is mapped internally to a variable of the type given as the return parameter, therefore it is possible to use it the same as any other local variable, and upon return from the procedure, its value will be passed. For example:

Proc MyProc(pBytein as Byte), Byte
  Result = pBytein      ' Transfer the parameter to the return variable
  Result = Result + 1  ' Add one to it
EndProc
View original PDF page 45Open page in PDFOriginal PDF page 45

Returning early from a procedure is the same as returning from a subroutine. i.e. using the Return command, or the ExitProc command may be used, which performs a return as well.

Proc MyProc(pBytein as Byte), Byte
  Result = pBytein               ' Transfer the parameter to the return variable
  If pBytein = 0 Then Return    ' Perform a test and return early if required
  Result = Result + 1           ' Otherwise… Add one to it
EndProc

Below is an example procedure that mimics the compiler’s 16-bit Dig command.

  Device = 18F26K40               ' Select the device to compile for
  Declare Xtal = 16  ' Tell the compiler the device will be operating at 16MHz

  Declare Hserial_Baud = 9600     ' UART1 Baud rate for HRsout
  Declare HRsout1_Pin = PORTC.6    ' Select pin to be used for USART1 TX

  Dim MyWord As Word = 12345

'--------------------------------------------------
' Emulate the 16-bit Dig command's operation
' Input     : pWordin holds the value to extract from
'           : pDigit holds which digit to extract (1 To 5)
' Output    : Result holds the extracted value
' Notes     : None
'
Proc DoDig16(pWordin As SWord, pDigit As Byte), Byte
  Dim bDigLoop As Byte

  pWordin = Abs(pWordin)
  If pDigit > 0 Then
     For bDigLoop = (pDigit - 1) DownTo 0
       pWordin = pWordin / 10
     Next
  EndIf
  Result = pWordin // 10
EndProc
'--------------------------------------------------
Main:

  HRsout Dec DoDig16(MyWord, 0)
  HRsout Dec DoDig16(MyWord, 1)
  HRsout Dec DoDig16(MyWord, 2)
  HRsout Dec DoDig16(MyWord, 3)
  HRsoutLn Dec DoDig16(MyWord, 4)
View original PDF page 46Open page in PDFOriginal PDF page 46