Modifying user-defined functions
You can change the definition of a user-defined function at any
time. You change the processing performed by the function by modifying
the statements in the Script view. You can also change the return type,
argument list, or access level for a function.
To change a function’s return type, arguments, or access
level:
-
Do one of the following:
-
In the Function painter, open the global function.
-
Open the object that contains the object-level function
you want to edit and select the function from the Function
list.
-
-
Make the changes you want in the Prototype window.
-
If the Prototype window is hidden, click the toggle button to
display it. -
Select File>Save from the menu bar.
To change a function’s name:
-
If desired, modify the function’s return type, arguments, or
access level as described in the previous procedure. -
Do one of the following:
-
In the Function painter, select File>Save As from the
menu bar and enter a name. -
In the Script view, enter a new name in the Function Name
box.
When you tab off the box, the new function name displays in
the Function List view. -
Changing the
arguments
You can change a function’s arguments at any time using the pop-up
menu in the Prototype window:
-
Add an argument by selecting Add Parameter. Boxes for defining
the new argument display below the last argument in the list. -
Insert an argument by moving the pointer to the argument
before which you want to insert the argument and selecting Insert
Parameter. Boxes for defining the new argument display above the
selected argument. -
Delete an argument by selecting it and clicking the Delete
button.
To change the position of an argument
To change the position of an argument, delete the argument and
insert it as a new argument in the correct position.
Recompiling other scripts
Changing arguments and the return type of a function affect
scripts and other functions that call the function. You should recompile
any script in which the function is used. This guarantees that the
scripts and functions work correctly during execution.
Seeing where a function is
used
PowerBuilder provides browsing facilities to help you find where
you have referenced your functions. In the System Tree or Library
painter, select a target, library, or object and select Search from the
pop-up menu. You can also search multiple entries in the Library
painter:
To determine which functions and scripts call a user-defined
function:
-
Open the Library painter.
-
In a List view, select all the entries you want to search for
references to the user-defined function. -
Select Entry>Search from the menu bar.
-
The Search Library Entries dialog box displays.
-
Specify the user-defined function as the search text and
specify the types of components you want to search. -
Click OK.
PowerBuilder displays all specified components that reference
the function in the Output window. You can double-click a listed
component to open the appropriate painter.
For more about browsing library entities, see Searching targets,
libraries, and objects.