12.3 User Defined Functions

In cases where built-in functions don't perform the task you need, you can create your own functions. These types of functions are called "user-defined" functions. Unlike built-in functions, any script developer can modify the contents of a user-defined function.

You create user-defined functions within your script file using the same methods you would when creating a script. However, the New Script dialog changes its contents when you create your function. Instead of prompting you for a keystroke to assign to the function, the New script dialog prompts you for a return type and description. For more information on the New Script dialog, see section 5.2 The New Script Dialog.

Basic User-Defined Functions

The simplest form of a user-defined function is one that does not require any parameters to complete its task. These same functions also do not return any values to the calling script or user-defined function. This type of function is often referred to as a "void" function.

When you create this type of user-defined function, you need only use the General Page of the New Script multi-page dialog. After you add the name, synopsis, description and category for the function, you should select the "void" return type from the Function Returns edit combo box. This return type tells JAWS that the function does not return any information to the calling script or function.

When you create a function that does not require any parameters or return any values, the script Manager inserts the following beginning line of the function into your script file:

Void Function MyFunction ()

The key word "void" preceding the key word "Function" indicates the function does not return anything to the calling script or user-defined function. The empty pair of parentheses following the function name indicate the function does not require any information to perform its task. An example of a function that does not require any parameters or return a value follows:

void Function GeneralJAWSHotKeys ()
If UserBufferIsActive () then
UserBufferDeactivate ()
EndIf
SayFormattedMessage (OT_USER_BUFFER, cmsgHotKeyHelp1_L, cmsgHotKeyHelp1_S)
EndFunction

You can find this function in the Default.jss script source file. The HotKeyHelp script calls this function to display a list of JAWS hot keys in the virtual viewer. Since the function only displays information, it does not require any data from the calling script to perform its task. When the function finishes, it does not return anything to the calling script.

Functions with Parameters

When you create a user-defined function, your goal is to be able to call this function from a variety of scripts and other user-defined functions. In order for the function to determine what it should do, you may need to pass some information to the function.

Just like the built-in functions discussed earlier in this chapter, user-defined functions can accept parameters. A parameter is a piece of information that is passed to a function to allow it to complete its task. A parameter can be any one of the four data types: handle, integer, object, or string. See 7.0 Using Variables and Constants, for more information on available variable types.

You use the New Script dialog to create parameters for your user-defined functions. After you have added all the necessary function information in the General page, press CTRL+TAB to move to the parameters page. When you first enter this page, the focus is placed in the existing Parameters list box. This list box displays all existing parameters for the function. This list box is empty when you create your new function but may be populated with information for an existing function.

To add parameters to a function, perform the following:

  1. Press TAB to move from the Existing Parameters list box to the New Parameter edit box.
  2. Give the parameter a meaningful name. Follow the same rules for naming parameters as you do for naming variables. You should use Hungarian notation to denote the type of parameter. You should also avoid using spaces or any punctuation marks other than an underline (_) characters. For example, you could give a string parameter the name of sName as it stores a string value containing a name. See 7.0 Using Variables and Constants for more information.
  3. Press TAB to move to the By Reference check box. Leave this check box cleared as this allows for a one-way data exchange between the calling script or user-defined function and your new function.
  4. Press TAB to move to the Parameter Description edit box. Type a meaningful description in this edit box as this is used by the Script Manager when you insert the function into a script.
  5. Press TAB to move to the available Types combo box. Select the appropriate type for the parameter. For example, the sName parameter discussed above would have a type of string.
  6. Press TAB to move to the Add Parameter button. Press SPACEBAR to activate this button. After you activate this button, the Script Manager returns the focus to the New Parameter edit box in preparation for the addition of another parameter.

After you have finished adding all necessary parameters, press TAB until you reach the OK button. Press SPACEBAR to activate the button and the Script Manager inserts the new function into your script file. When you declare a parameter using the New Script dialog, the Script Manager places the type and name of the parameter between the parentheses following the function name. An example of a beginning line of a function that uses a single string parameter follows:

Void Function MyFunction (string sParameter)

In the line above, the parameter, sParameter, and its type, string, are placed between the parentheses. As you add statements to your function to perform the given task, you refer to the parameter using the name that appears between the parentheses. Using the example shown above, you would refer to sParameter within the body of the function any time you want to determine the value it contains just as you would if it were declared as a local variable.

An example of a function from the default script file using a single parameter follows:

Void Function InitializeGlobalVoiceSettings (int iParamToSet)
If iParamToSet == V_RATE then
let GlobalPcRate = GetVoiceRate (VCTX_PCCURSOR)
let GlobalJawsRate = GetVoiceRate (VCTX_JAWSCURSOR)
let GlobalKeyboardRate = GetVoiceRate (VCTX_KEYBOARD)
let GlobalMessageRate = GetVoiceRate (VCTX_MESSAGE)
ElIf iParamToSet == V_VOLUME then
let GlobalPcVolume = GetVoiceVolume (VCTX_PCCURSOR)
let GlobalJawsVolume = GetVoiceVolume (VCTX_JAWSCURSOR)
let GlobalKeyboardVolume = GetVoiceVolume (VCTX_KEYBOARD)
let GlobalMessageVolume = GetVoiceVolume (VCTX_MESSAGE)
ElIf iParamToSet == V_PITCH then
let GlobalPcPitch = GetVoicePitch (VCTX_PCCURSOR)
let GlobalJawsPitch = GetVoicePitch (VCTX_JAWSCURSOR)
let GlobalKeyboardPitch = GetVoicePitch (VCTX_KEYBOARD)
let GlobalMessagePitch = GetVoicePitch (VCTX_MESSAGE)
endIf
EndFunction

In the function shown above, the iParamToSet parameter contains the value used to determine the set of global variables to be initialized. Since the speech characteristic can be different each time the function is called, a parameter of type integer was used. The If statement contained within the function determines which speech characteristic should have its corresponding global variables initialized. Notice that the parameter is referred to just as if it had been declared as a local variable within the body of the function.

When you declare multiple parameters, the Script Manager places a comma after each parameter declaration except for the last in the list. Essentially, a list of parameters is identical to a list of local or global declarations in that each declaration is followed by a comma except for the last. The only difference is that you do not use the key words "Var" or "Globals" to begin the parameter declarations. Instead, a pair of parentheses surrounds the parameters in the beginning line of the function. An example of a function beginning line containing multiple parameters follows:

Void Function MyFunction (string sParameter1, string sParameter2, string sParameter3)

In the example above, the Script Manager inserted a comma after the first and second parameter declarations, but not the third. The following function beginning lines are taken from the default script file and use multiple parameters to perform their tasks:

Void Function DoCustomHighlightColors (string strForeground, string strBackground, string sApp)

void Function KeyboardHelpHook (string ScriptName, string FrameName)

void Function ProcessSelectText(int nAttributes,string buffer)

 

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