Local SUB/FUNC variable declarations

[bobtheunplayer]

Is it better to

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. SUB Foo
2.     bar$ = "baz"
3. END SUB
4.  

Or

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. SUB Foo
2.     DIM bar AS STRING
3.     bar = "baz"
4. END SUB
5.  

[bplus]

I think it is a preference thing but declaring variables with DIM before using with Option Explicit can save tons of time cost by typo.

OTOH, Strings with $ are self documenting, I like $ for strings (Explicit free) but it is an extra character to type. And in usually smaller SUBs and Functions there is not an overwhelming amount of variables to track.

Declaring in parameters list the type with AS might be handy with reusable routines.

Be careful with subs that will try to pass back arguments by ref. ie if you change a value of argument in a sub that change might effect main program with that variable.

[Pete]

Of course, there's always my way!...

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. DIM SHARED bar AS STRING
2. SUB Foo
3.         bar = "baz"
4. END SUB
5.  

[TempodiBasic]

Hey boy, you forget that my way is better !
:-)

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. DIM Bar AS STRING
2.  
3. SUB Foo
4.   SHARED Bar
5.   Bar ="baz"
6. END SUB
7.  

It's better to share only what it is useful and/or necessary!
:-)

[bplus]

Hey boy, you forget that my way is better !
:-)

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. DIM Bar AS STRING
2.  
3. SUB Foo
4.   SHARED Bar
5.   Bar ="baz"
6. END SUB
7.  

It's better to share only what it is useful and/or necessary!
:-)

TempodiBasic, do you mean this? (Because the line Bar = "baz" is an error in the sub.)

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. DIM Bar AS STRING
2. PRINT "Bar is "; Bar
3. Foo
4. PRINT "Bar is "; Bar
5.  
6. SUB Foo
7.     SHARED Bar AS STRING " 'add as string
8.    Bar = "baz"
9. END SUB
10.  
11.  

[TempodiBasic]

Yes you're right
but when I am hangry this is the result!
:-)))
 

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. DEFSTR A-T
2. Bar = ""
3.  
4. SUB Foo
5.     SHARED Bar
6.     Bar = "baz"
7. END SUB
8.  
9.  

So I have had or AS STRING in the SUB
or  DEFSTR A-T
Bar = "" in the main!
:-)))

[SMcNeill]

Is it better to

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. SUB Foo
2.     bar$ = "baz"
3. END SUB
4.  

Or

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. SUB Foo
2.     DIM bar AS STRING
3.     bar = "baz"
4. END SUB
5.  

My personal preference here tends to lie towards: “DIM memorable variables, don’t worry with temp variables”

SUB Foo
    DIM Velocity AS _FLOAT
    DIM Gravity AS _FLOAT
    DIM RacecarDriver AS STRING

    c$ = “PRESS <ANY KEY> TO CONTINUE.”
    e$ = “<ESC> TO END.”

    ..... more stuff
END SUB

Important variables name and help document themselves.  Temp/Trash variables are suffixed, quickly used, and forgotten.

It’s generally the basic guideline I follow, myself.

[bobtheunplayer]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.  I think what I meant was more about what is the cost of static vs dynamic typing.  Which is more efficient?  Or, does it not even matter?

Thanks,
Bob