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Subject:Re: lexical question From:"Russell H. Whyte" <russell -dot- whyte -at- SHERIDANC -dot- ON -dot- CA> Date:Tue, 29 Jun 1993 13:45:45 EDT
Hi Amy!
In the past I've defined the difference by how they're used. A routine
is called by a statement. e.g. gosub 1000
perform add-routine
call add-routine
A function is usually used within a statement, e.g.
net_salary = calc_net(gross)
where calc_net is the function
gross is the variable the function acts
on
net_salary is where the result is stored.
You're right in saying that a function returns a value. A routine does
not have to return a value.
I usually use parentheses when defining functions, to differentiate
between functions and routines.
Subroutines and routines are interchangeable. I usually use routines
(less typing :-))
I hope this helps you out!
Russell
------------------------------------------------------
Russell H. Whyte russell -dot- whyte -at- sheridanc -dot- on -dot- ca
Technologist, End User Services
Sheridan College, Information Technology
1430 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, Ontario
L6H 2L1
