Returning values from a defined function

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1

I’m wondering if it is possible, and if so how, to return values from a defined function. I’ve trawled through the lang help and don’t see a return statement, nor do I see any examples from the tutorial that return a value, and yet it must be possible, since the built-in functions often seem to return values. How do I do this?

2

Yes function will return values. You don’t neccesarily have to express this explicitly
See the following examples

define :double do |n|
  n = 2 * n
end

puts double 13    #gives 26

define :doubleWrong do |n|
  result = 2*n
  k = 33
end

puts doubleWrong 13 #=> 33 ie it shows the last evaluated expression value

define :doubleOK do |n|
  result = 2*n
  k = 33
  return result #specifies the return value
end

puts doubleOK 13  #gives the correct result 26

So you may see defined functions with or without a return keyword, but both are possible.

EDIT
of course if the function plays something, then the “result” can be heard as it executes eg.

define :pscale do |scale|
  play_pattern_timed scale,0.2, release: 0.5
end

pscale scale(:c4,:minor_pentatonic) #play the scale
pscale scale(:c4,:minor_pentatonic).reverse #play it in reverse
3

So, am I right in thinking then that if there isn’t an explicit return statement, the function returns the result of the last assignment?

4

Yes. If the return keyword is not included the last expression in the function is returned

5

Thank you. I think this info is not in the tutorial and might be included as part of the define section.