Re: Returning from a procedure

[Scott Klement <klemscot@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> When you return a value from a procedure are you returning the value or a
> reference to the value?

Assuming that you're referring to data returned by the "return" op-code,
rather than a parameter, you're ALWAYS returning a value.

Even if you return a pointer, you're returning the value of the pointer.
(Though, granted, the address stored in the pointer will likely be used as
a reference.)

> I have several procedures in a service program that are used to access
> different fields in a database and I want to make sure that if I return the
> database field that it wont change if the service program is used to get a
> value from a different record. Also I thought about moving the value from
> the field to a work field in the procedure but I was worried the memory
> could be reclaimed.

It won't change, unless you're passing a pointer and basing a variable on
that pointer.  (Or doing something equally obvious, like using the same
variable to store the return value for subsequent calls.)

Your srvpgm may not perform well -- depending on the fields and how often
you're doing this -- but then, that may not be one of your goals.