Difference between revisions of "Category:LSL User-Defined Functions"

From Second Life Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Replaced <source> with <syntaxhighlight> and did some cosmetic improvements)
(reworded the description and expanded it a little, for clarity and to remind about pass-by-value and variable scopes)
 
Line 7: Line 7:


=== About User-Defined Functions ===
=== About User-Defined Functions ===
LSL allows user-defined functions.  The syntax is very simple:
LSL allows user-defined functions which will help keep scripts compact and readable, and allow code reuse.  The [[LSL Style Guide]] suggests that user-defined functions should be placed before the default state definition and after user-defined variables.
 
The definitions are as follows:


<syntaxhighlight lang="lsl2">
<syntaxhighlight lang="lsl2">
return_type variable_name(par1type par1name, par2type par2name,...)
<return_type> function_name([<parameter1_type> parameter1[, <parameter2_type> parameter2[, ...]]])
{
{
   function_statements;
   function_statements;
   .
 
  .
   ...
  .
 
   return value_of_return_type;
   return value_of_return_type;
}
}
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>
* User-defined functions must be defined before any [[state]]s in the script or a syntax error will be generated on compilation.
* <code>return_type</code> and <code>parameterN_type</code> may be any [[:Category:LSL Types|LSL variable type]].
** The <code>return_type</code> may also be omitted for a void type function. Such a function is not required to use the <code>return</code> statement at all, and if one is used it will have no parameter.
* There are no known limits on the maximum number and size of parameters, beyond normal script memory limits.
** If the function requires no parameters, the entire parameter list can be omitted.
* Parameters are passed by value, as with built-in functions. They behave like local variables and writing into them has no effect on what the function was called with.
** Entering a user-defined function starts a new [[LSL Variables#Scope of variables|scope]]. Only global variables and the function parameters are visible; any local variables from where the function was called from are not directly available.
* If multiple return values are desired, they can be packed into a [[list]], a [[vector]] or a [[rotation]], depending on what you need to return.
=== Examples ===
<syntaxhighlight lang="lsl2">
<syntaxhighlight lang="lsl2">
// example with void return type:
// example with void return type:
Line 64: Line 76:
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>


There are no {{mono|function}} or {{mono|def}} keywords or function type/inheritance specifiers needed. I have not yet discovered what limits (if any) exist on the length or composition of the parameter list.  Multiple types can be used, as shown in the example below.  A list can be returned, so a single function can return a list with several values in it. User-defined functions will help keep scripts compact and readable, and allow rudimentary code reuse.  The [[LSL Style Guide]] suggests that user-defined functions should be placed before the default state definition and after user-defined variables. Placing user-defined functions after the first state will result in a Syntax Error.
Below is a list of functions on this wiki that have been included in this category:
 
Examples can be found linked below:

Latest revision as of 08:29, 12 May 2024

User-Defined Functions

This category contains custom pre-defined function contributions from the LSL community to extend the abilities of LSL. To add a wiki page to this category, include a link to this page. You may use the Template:LSL_Function (with "mode" set to user) to create the page to be added here.

Go to the Functions page to view the built-in functions.

About User-Defined Functions

LSL allows user-defined functions which will help keep scripts compact and readable, and allow code reuse. The LSL Style Guide suggests that user-defined functions should be placed before the default state definition and after user-defined variables.

The definitions are as follows:

<return_type> function_name([<parameter1_type> parameter1[, <parameter2_type> parameter2[, ...]]])
{
  function_statements;

  ...

  return value_of_return_type;
}
  • User-defined functions must be defined before any states in the script or a syntax error will be generated on compilation.
  • return_type and parameterN_type may be any LSL variable type.
    • The return_type may also be omitted for a void type function. Such a function is not required to use the return statement at all, and if one is used it will have no parameter.
  • There are no known limits on the maximum number and size of parameters, beyond normal script memory limits.
    • If the function requires no parameters, the entire parameter list can be omitted.
  • Parameters are passed by value, as with built-in functions. They behave like local variables and writing into them has no effect on what the function was called with.
    • Entering a user-defined function starts a new scope. Only global variables and the function parameters are visible; any local variables from where the function was called from are not directly available.
  • If multiple return values are desired, they can be packed into a list, a vector or a rotation, depending on what you need to return.

Examples

// example with void return type:

let_prim_say_something_and_include_owner_info(string message)
{
    key ownerKey = llGetOwner();
    string ownerName = llKey2Name(ownerKey);

    llSay(PUBLIC_CHANNEL, "/me (owned by " + ownerName + "): " + message);
}

default
{
    state_entry()
    {
        let_prim_say_something_and_include_owner_info("Hello world!");
    }
}
// example with integer return type (actually it's a boolean)

integer is_sun_up()
{
    vector sunDirection = llGetSunDirection();

    if (sunDirection.z < 0.0)
        return FALSE;

    // else
        return TRUE;
}

default
{
    state_entry()
    {
        if (is_sun_up())
            llSay(PUBLIC_CHANNEL, "Good day!");
        else
            llSay(PUBLIC_CHANNEL, "Good night!");
    }
}

Below is a list of functions on this wiki that have been included in this category: