Functions

Functions in Volant are expressions and can be used as other ordinary values. Function expressions have syntax,

func (arg1: type1, arg2: type2) returnType {
    // do stuff
}

Declaring a function

Functions can be declared just like ordinary values. The type signature of functions has syntax func (type1, type2, type3) returnType.

function: func(type1, type2) returnType;
function = func (arg1: type1, arg2: type2) returnType {
    // do stuff
};

// or use implicit declaration
function := func (arg1: type1, arg2: type2) returnType {
    // do stuff
};

The return type can be omitted from the function expression and type if the function does not return anything. For example,

// create a function that does not return anything
function: func (typ1, type2) = func (arg1: type1, arg2: type2) {
    // do stuff
};

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Volant provides one more way of declaring functions,

func name(arg1: type1, arg2: type2) returnType {
    //do stuff
}

Functions declared with this syntax are constants and cannot be re-initialized. There is a very specific reason for the two syntaxes to exist separately, talking about which is beyond the scope of this page. It is preferred to the second syntax whenever possible.

Returning a value

A function can return a value using return statements with syntax return anExpression;. The function execution is stopped when it returns a value. return can also be used without an expression to stop the execution of the function in functions that do not return anything.

Invoking a function

Functions are invoked with syntax function(arg1, arg2, arg3) which is an expression that resolves to the value returned by the function.

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Volant allows nesting functions along with support for closures.