
In SLUDGE, a function or "sub" is a group of instructions which make up a particular task. Each function has a name, a set of parameters (values which can be passed in) and a list of commands. A function is defined in the following way:
sub nameGoesHere (parameter1, parameter2, andSoOn) {
   # Some code
}
It is also possible to return values from a function. Functions can return any of the data types which can be stored in a variable (you can therefore use a stack if you need to return more than one value from a function).
sub addTwoNumbers (a, b) {
   return a + b;
}
sub introducePeople (aBod, anotherBod) {
   # Let's return a stack containing "A, I'd like you to meet B."
   # and "B, this is A!".
   return newStack (aBod + ", I'd like you to meet " + anotherBod + ".",
                    anotherBod + ", this is " + aBod + "!");
}
When calling a function, simply type the name of the function followed by the parameters in brackets. For example:
sub sayNumber (number) {
   say (ego, "The number is " + number + ".");
}
sub init () {
   # Let's call our addTwoNumbers function
   var total = addTwoNumbers (100, 451);
   # Now let's call our new sayNumber function
   sayNumber (total);
}
If you are calling a function which needs no parameters, make sure you still include an empty set of brackets, otherwise the function will not be called!
sub reallyImportantFunction () {
   say (ego, "It's vital that I say this!");
} 
sub init () {
   # This won't call the reallyImportantFunction...
   reallyImportantFunction;
   # But this will...
   reallyImportantFunction ();
}
Passing Functions as Variables
SLUDGE and this SLUDGE documentation are copyright Hungry Software and contributors 2000-2012