Context sensitive functions 1

[redgenie]

IS it possible to create context sensitive functions?

Ie. The function returns different results depending on what context it's called?

my @array =someFunction();
my $scalar =someFunction();

If the function is called in array context I want to return an array, but if it's called in scalar context I want to join the array and return the results....

 

[philote]

I believe you'll need to use something called 'wantarray' in your subroutine. Here's an excerpt from the docs:

wantarray
Returns true if the context of the currently executing subrou-
tine is looking for a list value. Returns false if the con-
text is looking for a scalar. Returns the undefined value if
the context is looking for no value (void context).

return unless defined wantarray; # don't bother doing more
my @a = complex_calculation();
return wantarray ? @a : "@a";

 

[redgenie]

Thanks so much ....