public private variables

[xoprofittaker]

I am not sure I am creating a function properly. What is the proper syntax for creating and then calling a function??

And second how do you create a public variable? Do you
declare it in the function premain??/

Thanks,

John

[Doji3333]

Hope this helps...

Creating a function is simple...

below main (normally how I do it), just create a new function..

function main() {
  ....
}  // end of main

function mynewfunction() {
  ....
}  //  end of my new function 

Now, how you use the function and what it is designed to do are up to you.. Remember, all functions are typically designed to RETURN something.. But they don't HAVE to RETURN anything if you don't want them to.

var status = "FLAT";  //  this variable is created in GLOBAL scope

function main() {
  ....
   if (time_to_buy) {
     status = mynewfunction(1);
   }
   if (time_to_sell) {
     status = mynewfunction(-1);
   }
   if (time_to_EXIT) {
     status = mynewfunction(0);
   }

  return status;
}  // end of main

function mynewfunction(Direction) {
    if (Direction > 0) { return "LONG"; }
    if (Direction < 0) { return "SHORT"; }
    if (Direction == 0) { return "FLAT"; }
}  //  end of my new function 

The example above illustrates a couple of things..

a.. Variable Scope (for Global variables). By declaring a variable (status) outside the MAIN function, you create a global variable that can be used ANYWHERE within your code. In other words, its SCOPE (think of this as EXPOSURE) is GLOBAL (think of this as throughout the entire code).

b.. We're also showing you how to call and return values from a function. The "mynewfunction" function is designed to change the "status" variable. Notice we are using a "return" statement within "mynewfunction". This causes "mynewfunction" to send the returned value back to the calling function "main". Also, notice in "main" where we have to capture the returned value by using "status = mynewfunction();"

Another way to do this is without returning anything...

var status = "FLAT";  //  this variable is created in GLOBAL scope

function main() {
  ....
   if (time_to_buy) {
     mynewfunction(1);
   }
   if (time_to_sell) {
     mynewfunction(-1);
   }
   if (time_to_EXIT) {
     mynewfunction(0);
   }

  return status;
}  // end of main

function mynewfunction(Direction) {
    if (Direction > 0) { status = "LONG"; }
    if (Direction < 0) { status = "SHORT"; }
    if (Direction == 0) { status = "FLAT"; }
}  //  end of my new function 

Here is an example of NOT USING RETURN. Can you see the differences??

BTW, if I declare a variable within a function, it is only available for use WITHIN that function.

function mynewfunction(Direction) {
  var mynewvariable;

    if (Direction > 0) { status = "LONG"; }
    if (Direction < 0) { status = "SHORT"; }
    if (Direction == 0) { status = "FLAT"; }
}  //  end of my new function 

the variable "mynewvariable" is only available (or has SCOPE) WITHIN the function. This is because it is declaired withing the function. When you do this, you are declairing variables that are needed to execute the function.

Variables declaired within "main" operate the same way. They are available (or have SCOPE) only within the main function.

Hope this helps.