Paper 2. Sec 2.3.

6) Structured Programming Computer Science 9608

with Majid Tahir

Syllabus Content:
2.3.6 Structured programming
• use a procedure
• explain where in the construction of an algorithm it would be appropriate to use a procedure
– a procedure may have none, one or more parameters
– a parameter can be passed by reference or by value
• show understanding of passing parameters by reference
• show understanding of passing parameters by value
– a call is made to the procedure using CALL <identifier> ()
• use a function
• explain where in the construction of an algorithm it is appropriate to use a function
• use the terminology associated with procedures and functions: procedure/function header,
procedure/ function interface, parameter, argument, return value
– given pseudocode will use the following structure for function definitions:
– a function is used in an expression, for example
• write programs containing several components and showing good use of resources

2.3.6 Structured programming

Subroutines & Procedures
Initially, a program was written as one monolithic block of code. The program started at the first
line of the program and continued to the end.

Program languages have now been developed to be structured. A problem can be divided into a
number of smaller subroutines (also called procedures). From within one subroutine, another
subroutine can be called and executed:

Subroutine
A subroutine is a self-contained section of program code that performs a specific task, as part of
the main program.

Procedure
Procedure is giving a group of statements a name. When we want to program a procedure we
need to define it before the main program. We call it in the main program when we want the
statements in the procedure body to be executed.

Pseudocode ByRef vs. ByVal

Parameters can be passed by reference (ByRef) or by value (ByVal).
PROCEDURE <identifier>
<statement (s)> If you want to pass the value of the variable, use the ByVal syntax. By passing
ENDPROCEDURE the value of the variable instead of a reference to the variable, any changes to
the variable made by code in the subroutine or function will not be passed back
to the main code.
PROCEDURE <identifier> (BYREF <identifier>: <data type>)
<statement (s)> This is the default passing mechanism when you don’t decorate the parameters
ENDPROCEDURE by using ByVal or ByRef.

PROCEDURE <identifier> (BYVALUE <identifier>: <datatype>) If you want to change the value of the variable in the subroutine or function and
<statement (s)> pass the revised value back to the main code, use the ByRef syntax. This
passes the reference to the variable and allows its value to be changed and
ENDPROCEDURE
passed back to the main code.

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Example Program – Procedures

Module Module1 Global Variables declared

Dim num1 As Integer

Dim num2 As Integer
Dim answer As Integer

Sub input_sub()
Console.Clear()
Console.WriteLine("Enter number 1")
num1 = Console.ReadLine
Console.WriteLine("Enter number 2")
num2 = Console.ReadLine
End Sub

Sub Calculation()
answer = num1 * num2
End Sub

Sub output_sub()
Console.Write("the product of " & num1 & " and " & num2 & " is ")
Console.WriteLine(answer)
Console.ReadLine()
End Sub

Sub Main()
input_sub()
Calculation()
output_sub()
End Sub

End Module

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Parameter
A parameter is a value that is ‘received’ in a subroutine (procedure or function).
The subroutine uses the value of the parameter within its execution.

The action of the subroutine will be different depending upon the parameters that it is passed.
Parameters are placed in parenthesis after the subroutine name.
For example: Square(5) ‘passes the parameter 5 – returns 25

ByRef vs. ByVal

Parameters can be passed by reference (ByRef) or by value (ByVal).

If you want to pass the value of the variable, use the ByVal syntax. By passing the value of the variable
instead of a reference to the variable, any changes to the variable made by code in the subroutine or
function will not be passed back to the main code.

This is the default passing mechanism when you don’t decorate the parameters by using ByVal or
ByRef. If you want to change the value of the variable in the subroutine or function and pass the revised
value back to the main code, use the ByRef syntax. This passes the reference to the variable and allows
its value to be changed and passed back to the main code.

Variable Scope
A variable holds data while the program is running. The scope of a variable defines where it can be seen.
They are classifies as either global or local

Global Variable
A global variable is declared in a module
and is accessible from any procedure or
function within that module.

Local Variables
A local variable is declared in a
procedure or function and is only
accessible within that procedure of
function.

Parameters
As mentioned above, local variables
only have a lifespan of the
procedure. Sometimes it is useful to
pass a value from one procedure to
another. This is done by using
parameters (or arguments)
A parameter can be passed from
one procedure to another by value
or by reference.
By Value
The word ByVal is short for "By
Value". What it means is that you
are passing a copy of a variable to
your Subroutine. You can make
changes to the copy and the original
will not be altered.

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By Reference
ByRef is the alternative. This is short for By Reference. This means that you are not handing over a copy
of the original variable but pointing to the original variable. Any change you make to the variable within
your subroutine will effect the variable itself.

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A procedure is a group of statements that together perform a task when called. After the
procedure is executed, the control returns to the statement calling the procedure. VB.Net has
two types of procedures:
 Functions
 Sub procedures or Subs
Functions return a value, whereas Subs do not return a value.

Defining a Function
The Function statement is used to declare the name, parameter and the body of a function.
The syntax for the Function statement is:

[Modifiers] Function FunctionName [(ParameterList)] As ReturnType

[Statements]

End Function

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Functions
Functions are similar to subroutines, except that they always return a value. They are normally used in
either assignments ( A:=TaxA(370); ) or expressions ( IF taxA(15000) THEN….)
The function names doubles as a procedure name and a variable.

Module Module1
Function square(ByVal x As Integer) As Integer
square = x * x
End Function
End Module ByRef vs. ByVal
Parameters can be passed by reference (ByRef) or by value (ByVal).

Square is the function name, that is expecting an If you want to pass the value of the variable, use the ByVal syntax. By passing
the value of the variable instead of a reference to the variable, any changes to
integer to be passed ( byref) to it. the variable made by code in the subroutine or function will not be passed back
to the main code.
The result is assigned to the function name which is This is the default passing mechanism when you don’t decorate the parameters
dimensioned as an integer. The function name can by using ByVal or ByRef.
be used as a variable containing the result within If you want to change the value of the variable in the subroutine or function and
other procedures. pass the revised value back to the main code, use the ByRef syntax. This
passes the reference to the variable and allows its value to be changed and
passed back to the main code.
Pseudocode
FUNCTION <identifier> RETURNS <datatype>
<statement (s)>
ENDFUNCTION

FUNCTION <identifier> (<identifier> : <datatype>)

RETURNS <data type> // function has one or more parameters
<statement(s)>
ENDFUNCTION

Example Program in VB - Functions

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Example Program – Functions

Module Module1
Function square(ByVal x As Integer) As Integer
square = x * x
End Function
Function sum(ByRef a As Integer, ByRef b As Integer) As Integer
sum = a + b
End Function
Sub Main()
Dim number As Double = 5
Console.WriteLine("x = " & number)
Console.WriteLine("Square of x is " & square(number))
Console.WriteLine(sum(3, 7))
Console.WriteLine(square(sum(16, 9)))
Console.ReadLine()
End Sub
End Module

Programming languages, such as VB.net and spreadsheets, have many functions built-in.
Examples include

SUM(range) Spreadsheet: to add a block of cell values.

LCASE(string) VB: converts a string to upper case
ROUND(integer) Round the integer up
RANDOM Generate a random number

Example
Following code snippet shows a function FindMax that takes two integer values and returns the
larger of the two.
Function FindMax(ByVal num1 As Integer, ByVal num2 As Integer) As Integer ' local
variable declaration
Dim result As Integer
If (num1 > num2) Then
result = num1
Else
result = num2
End If
FindMax = result
End Function

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Function Returning a Value

In VB.Net, a function can return a value to the calling code in two ways:
 By using the return statement
 By assigning the value to the function name
The following example demonstrates using the FindMax function:
Module module1
Function FindMax(ByVal num1 As Integer, ByVal num2 As Integer) As Integer
' local variable declaration */
Dim result As Integer
If (num1 > num2) Then
result = num1
Else
result = num2
End If
FindMax = result
End Function
Sub Main()
Dim a As Integer
Console.WriteLine("Write value number 1")
a = Console.ReadLine()
Dim b As Integer
Console.WriteLine("Write value number 2")
b = Console.ReadLine()
Dim res As Integer
res = FindMax(a, b)
Console.WriteLine("Max value is : {0}", res)
Console.ReadLine()
End Sub
End Module

When the above code is compiled and executed, it takes value 1 & value 2 as input and
produces the maximum value for example:

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Recursive Function
A function can call itself. This is known as recursion. Following is an example that calculates
factorial for a given number using a recursive function:
Module myfunctions
Function factorial(ByVal num As Integer) As Intege ' local variable declaration */
Dim result As Integer
If (num = 1) Then
Return 1
Else
result = factorial(num - 1) * num
Return result
End If
End Function
Sub Main()
'calling the factorial method
Console.WriteLine("Factorial of 6 is : {0}", factorial(6))
Console.WriteLine("Factorial of 7 is : {0}", factorial(7))
Console.WriteLine("Factorial of 8 is : {0}", factorial(8))
Console.ReadLine()
End Sub
End Module
When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result:

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Paper 2. Sec 2.3.6) Structured Programming Computer Science 9608
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Calling a Function
You call a Function procedure by using the procedure name, followed by the argument list in
parentheses, in an expression. You can omit the parentheses only if you aren't supplying any
arguments. However, your code is more readable if you always include the parentheses.

You call a Function procedure the same way that you call any library function such
as Sqrt , Cos , or ChrW .

You can also call a function by using the Call keyword. In that case, the return value is ignored.
Use of the Call keyword isn't recommended in most cases. For more information, see Call
Statement.

Visual Basic sometimes rearranges arithmetic expressions to increase internal efficiency. For
that reason, you shouldn't use a Function procedure in an arithmetic expression when the
function changes the value of variables in the same expression.

Syntax
[ Call ] procedureName [ (argumentList) ]

Parts
procedureName
Required. Name of the procedure to call.

argumentList
Optional. List of variables or expressions representing arguments that are passed to the
procedure when it is called. Multiple arguments are separated by commas. If you
include argumentList , you must enclose it in parentheses.
Remarks

You can use the Call keyword when you call a procedure. For most procedure calls, you aren’t
required to use this keyword.

You typically use the Call keyword when the called expression doesn’t start with an identifier.
Use of the Call keyword for other uses isn’t recommended.

If the procedure returns a value, the Call statement discards it.

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Example
The following code shows two examples where the Call keyword is necessary to call a
procedure. In both examples, the called expression doesn't start with an identifier.

Sub TestCall()
Call (Sub() Console.Write("Hello"))()

Call New TheClass().ShowText()

End Sub

Class TheClass
Public Sub ShowText()
Console.Write(" World")
End Sub
End Class

References:

Visual Basics Console Cook Book by

VB.NET Console Book by Dough Semple
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/vb.net/vb.net_functions.htm
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/visual-basic/language-reference/statements/function-statement

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