passing arrays

passing arrays

[Le Wang]

Hi all.

Is it possible to pass an array into a function and
have the function return an array?

--
Le

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Re: passing arrays

[Zefram]

Le Wang wrote:
>Is it possible to pass an array into a function and
>have the function return an array?

The arguments to a function are an array, accessible through the
$1/$@/$argv parameters.

A function directly returns only a numeric status.  To return any
other information, it must either assign to a parameter or generate
output (which can be captured using $(...)).  The parameter assignment
technique is usually to be preferred, because it doesn't need to make any
system calls and it's easier for handling arrays.  We already have some
mechanisms where the shell calls a user-defined function and receives
a string or array return code in the parameters $REPLY or $reply;
I suggest that where you need string or array returns you use these
parameter names to do it.

-zefram

Re: passing arrays

[Le Wang]

 --- Zefram <zefram@fysh.org> wrote: > Le Wang wrote:
> >Is it possible to pass an array into a function and
> >have the function return an array?
> 
> The arguments to a function are an array, accessible
> through the
> $1/$@/$argv parameters.

hmm.  I figured as much.

Here is an extension of the problem.  Say I have a
bunch of functions that operate on $PATH, how would I
generalize it so that it works with any $PATH like
variable?

--
le

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RE: passing arrays

[Borzenkov Andrey]

> Here is an extension of the problem.  Say I have a
> bunch of functions that operate on $PATH, how would I
> generalize it so that it works with any $PATH like
> variable?
> 

Hmm ... have you noticed that every your question needs at least one reply
that requests clarification what you really mean? No offence intended :)

Returning to your question - if 

foo "$path[@]"

does what you need I do not see any reason why

foo "$bar[@]"

does not. If the question is, how to get a pair of variables like path/PATH
- it is done with typeset,

typeset -T FOO foo

creates an array foo and "colon array" FOO.

-andrey

RE: passing arrays

[Le Wang]

 --- Borzenkov Andrey <Andrey.Borzenkov@siemens.com>
wrote: > 
> > Here is an extension of the problem.  Say I have a
> > bunch of functions that operate on $PATH, how
> would I
> > generalize it so that it works with any $PATH like
> > variable?
> > 
> 
> Hmm ... have you noticed that every your question
> needs at least one reply
> that requests clarification what you really mean? No
> offence intended :)

None taken.  I will strive to refine my problem
descriptions.  

My problem is as follows:

I currently have:

addToPath () {...}

and I use it as:

addToPath ~/bin/scripts

I would like to have

addToPathVar () {...}

and use it as:

addToPathVar CLASSPATH ~/java/lib

--
Le

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