Actions (aka Functions)

In Artsy, functions are called actions. They are self-contained modules of code that perform specific tasks and can be used multiple times.

Value-Returning Actions # (Working Progress)

A value-returning action returns a value when called.

For example, consider the following action that returns the sum of two numbers:

# Function has 3 components

action int add(int number){
# 1. "action" to state it is a function
# 2. "int" type of function (int, string, float, etc.)
# 3. "add" name of the function 
}

# Add two numbers and return the result
action float addNumbers(float a, float b) {
	declare result as float;
	let result = a + b;
	report result;
}

To use this action, you can assign the returned value to a variable:

let result = addNumbers(3.14, 2.718);

Or you can directly print the result:

print addNumbers(1.0, 2.0);

Void Actions # Working Progress

A void action does not return a value. It simply performs a task or prints a message.

For example, consider the following action that prints a message to the console:

# Print a message to the console
action printMessage() {                    # don't put the type of function
	print "Hello, world!";                   # means to return nothing (void) 
}

To use this action, you simply call it:

printMessage();

Example # Working Progress

Here's an example that combines both types of actions to create a simple calculator:

# Add two numbers and print the result
# Multiply two numbers and return the result
action float multiply(float left, float right) {
	declare result as float;
	let result = left * right;
	report result;
}

# Divide two numbers and return the result
action float divide(float left, float right) {
	declare result as float;
	let result = left / right;
	report result;
}

# Usage example
declare a as float;
declare b as float;
let a = 10.0;
let b = 5.0;

declare c as float;
let c = multiply(a, b); # c is now 50.0
print c;
addline;

declare d as float;
let d = divide(a, b); # d is now 2.0
print d;