Using arrays in routines, etc.

[CM630]

If I do:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. function a:array of string;
2. begin
3. end;  
4.  

             
it does not compile.
So I usually create a type String1D and then I do

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. function a: String1D;
2. begin
3. end;
4.  

             
This compiles.

But maybe there is a better and an easier way?

[Fibonacci]

There isnt.

[marcov]

Use types.stringdynarray    Most dynamic arrays of basic types are predefined there.

[KodeZwerg]

There isnt.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. procedure foo(bar: array of whatever);

[Fibonacci]

There isnt.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. procedure foo(bar: array of whatever);

As a result?

[marcov]

There isnt.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. procedure foo(bar: array of whatever);

That's a different construct, an open array.     Not a dynamic array.

[KodeZwerg]

There isnt.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. procedure foo(bar: array of whatever);

As a result?

Feel free to add "out" infront to know that it's meant to be some kind of result, I usualy do "function x([var/out] y: array of z): boolean" to have a better workflow.
Topic titles "routines" and method "procedure" is one kind of a routine.

That's a different construct, an open array.     Not a dynamic array.

Hmmm it accept static or dynamic, whats your point?

[Fibonacci]

Damn you @KodeZwerg... I wanted to show you something, but I found another INTERNAL ERROR

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. program test;
2.  
3. function func(out values: array of string): boolean;
4. begin
5.   values := ['hi']; // project1.lpr(5,10) Error: Assignments to formal parameters and open arrays are not possible
6.                     // project1.lpr(5,13) Error: Internal error 99080501
7. end;
8.  
9. begin
10. end.

Its my 4th today!

[CM630]

Use types.stringdynarray
Most dynamic arrays of basic types are predefined there.

I do not like TStringDynArray = array of AnsiString; 
And there is no array of array of string; type there.

But there occurred to be a TStringArray in sysutils.

[cdbc]

Hi
Sorry, for the intrusion, but I think it pertains to the thread-title...
I'm a bit uncertain about dynamic arrays as a function result.
If i have this function:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. function fubar: TStringArray;
2. begin
3.   SetLength(Result,5);
4.   Result[0]:= 'F*cked';
5.   Result[1]:= 'Up';
6.   Result[2]:= 'Beyond';
7.   Result[3]:= 'All';
8.   Result[4]:= 'Recognition';
9. end;

then
1) can i use it like: "S:= fubar()[2];" to get 'Beyond', or do I have to assign
    the result to an array variable first?
2) Is the memory allocated to the array managed? or do I have to free it
    somehow?
Btw. TStringArray is defined in sysutils... And as @marcov said most are predefined.
edit: What's stopping you from defining a 'TStringMatrix', e.g.:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. type
2.   TStringMatrix = array of TStringArray;

Regards Benny

[marcov]

Use types.stringdynarray
Most dynamic arrays of basic types are predefined there.

I do not like TStringDynArray = array of AnsiString; 
And there is no array of array of string; type there.

But there occurred to be a TStringArray in sysutils.

To confuse it more there is also TArray<String>

[KodeZwerg]

Damn you @KodeZwerg... I wanted to show you something, but I found another INTERNAL ERROR

Its my 4th today!

Lol, shall I congrat?
BTW, since I never used it in such way, was the array initialized?
My conceptual (dynamic) workflow looks like:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. function Foo(out Bar: array of string): boolean;
2. begin
3.   Result := False;
4.   SetLength(Bar, Succ(Length(Bar));
5.   Bar[High(Bar)] := 'Foobar';
6.   Result := True;
7. end;

[Fibonacci]

I'm a bit uncertain about dynamic arrays as a function result.
If i have this function:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. function fubar: TStringArray;
2. begin
3.   SetLength(Result,5);
4.   Result[0]:= 'F*cked';
5.   Result[1]:= 'Up';
6.   Result[2]:= 'Beyond';
7.   Result[3]:= 'All';
8.   Result[4]:= 'Recognition';
9. end;

then
1) can i use it like: "S:= fubar()[2];" to get 'Beyond', or do I have to assign
    the result to an array variable first?
2) Is the memory allocated to the array managed? or do I have to free it
    somehow?

If you want to get "F*cked" (pun intended), then yes you can call fubar[0], or fubar[2] to get even "Beyond". AFAIK, it is managed.

I often use construct like "for str in fubar do ...", so it would be bad if the memory wasnt freed. (Or it isnt?)

Lol, shall I congrat?
BTW, since I never used it in such way, was the array initialized?

Yah, thanks, I promoted myself to "Certified Internal Error Hunter"

Initialized.. ":= []" was supposed to be the initialization, of course that doesnt work - hence the error message, but also an internal error.

What I wanted to show you was that if a function returns an array, not as "var/out" but as a result, then you can do "for X in FUNC do ..." which is neat, I do use it often, not only for strings. Code then is more compact, no need to have array variable to store the result.

[KodeZwerg]

To confuse it more there is also TArray<String>

TStringList you also not mention, okay it is not a pure array-type but a very nice thing to be used as long you not forget to free it somewhere

[cdbc]

Hi

okay it is not a pure array-type but a very nice thing to be used as long you not forget to free it somewhere

Yeah, that's just it... That's why I'd like some confirmation, that such an array is indeed managed and auto-free'd 
E.g.: for S in astring.Split([',']) do etc...; would be less convenient, if you'd have to somehow free the allocated memory...
Regards Benny