Functions ========= {{#include ../links.md}} Rhai supports defining functions in script (unless disabled with [`no_function`]): ```rust fn add(x, y) { return x + y; } fn sub(x, y,) { // trailing comma in parameters list is OK return x - y; } print(add(2, 3)); // prints 5 print(sub(2, 3,)); // prints -1 - trailing comma in arguments list is OK ``` Implicit Return --------------- Just like in Rust, an implicit return can be used. In fact, the last statement of a block is _always_ the block's return value regardless of whether it is terminated with a semicolon `';'`. This is different from Rust. ```rust fn add(x, y) { // implicit return: x + y; // value of the last statement (no need for ending semicolon) // is used as the return value } fn add2(x) { return x + 2; // explicit return } print(add(2, 3)); // prints 5 print(add2(42)); // prints 44 ``` No Access to External Scope -------------------------- Functions are not _closures_. They do not capture the calling environment and can only access their own parameters. They cannot access variables external to the function itself. ```rust let x = 42; fn foo() { x } // <- syntax error: variable 'x' doesn't exist ``` Passing Arguments by Value ------------------------- Functions defined in script always take [`Dynamic`] parameters (i.e. the parameter can be of any type). It is important to remember that all arguments are passed by _value_, so all functions are _pure_ (i.e. they never modify their arguments). Any update to an argument will **not** be reflected back to the caller. This can introduce subtle bugs, if not careful, especially when using the _method-call_ style. ```rust fn change(s) { // 's' is passed by value s = 42; // only a COPY of 's' is changed } let x = 500; x.change(); // de-sugars to 'change(x)' x == 500; // 'x' is NOT changed! ``` Global Definitions Only ---------------------- Functions can only be defined at the global level, never inside a block or another function. ```rust // Global level is OK fn add(x, y) { x + y } // The following will not compile fn do_addition(x) { fn add_y(n) { // <- syntax error: functions cannot be defined inside another function n + y } add_y(x) } ``` Unlike C/C++, functions can be defined _anywhere_ within the global level. A function does not need to be defined prior to being used in a script; a statement in the script can freely call a function defined afterwards. This is similar to Rust and many other modern languages.