PARAMETE

RS
PASSING PARAMETERS
PARAMETER DEFINED
A parameter is a value that is passed (given) to a subroutine
(procedure or function).
A parameter is a piece of data that is sent to a procedure when it is
called
The data is used by the procedure to help it carry out its tasks
The subroutine uses the value of the parameter within its execution.
The action of the subroutine will be different depending upon the
parameters that it is passed.
Parameters are placed in parenthesis after the subroutine name. For
example Square(5) passes the parameter 5 returns 25
The order and type of parameters that are passed to a function or
procedure must match the parameters in the function or procedure
header
PASSING PARAMETERS
The formal parameter links the data in the calling
program (which will change) to its use in the function or
procedure.
Actual parameter/argument is the data item supplied or
passed to the local variable
Actual parameters can be passed to functions and
procedures either by value or by reference
IMPORTANT RULES FOR PASSING
PARAMETERS
The number of actual and formal parameters must be the same
Parameters are matched according to their position, not according to
their names
The data types of a matching pair of parameters must be the same
A reference parameter is used when a piece of data needs to be
passed out of the procedure
A value parameter is a piece of data used by the procedure. Any
changes made to it inside the procedure are not passed back to
again.
PASSING BY VALUE
Only the value of the parameter is passed to the
procedure called.
Value of the parameter can be manipulated by the
procedure called.
When the procedure called is terminated the new value is
discarded and the value of the parameter in the calling
procedure returns to the original value

EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE PASSING A PARAMETER BY
VALUE

Procedure1
Declare a
a = 5
Call Procedure2 (a)
Display a
EndProcedure1
Procedure2 (ByVal b)
b = b + 2
EndProcedure2
The output of the parameter will be the display of value 5
PASSING BY REFERENCE
The parameter is stored in the original location and
only a pointer (a reference to the parameters memory
address) is passed to the procedure called.
Any changes made to the reference passed to the
procedure called, will remove the value of the
parameter at the original location.
When the procedure called is terminated the new value
is available to the calling procedure
EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE PASSING A PARAMETER BY
REFERENCE

Procedure1
Declare a
a = 5
Call Procedure2 (a)
Display a
EndProcedure1
Procedure2 (ByRef b)
b = b + 2
EndProcedure2
The output of the parameter will be the display of value 7
VB ILLUSTRATION: PASSING BY VALUE
Private Sub cmdByVal_Click()
Dim number As Integer
number = txtNumber.Text
Call Display1(number)
Print number
End Sub
Public Sub Display1(ByVal num As Integer)
num = num + 2
End Sub

VB ILLUSTRATION: PASSING BY REFERENCE
Private Sub cmdOk_Click()
Dim number As Integer
number = txtNumber.Text
Call Display(number)
Print number
End Sub

Public Sub Display(ByRef num As Integer)
num = num + 2
End Sub
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN PASS BY VALUE AND
PASS BY REFERENCE?
PAIR WORK
Design a VB program which finds the smaller
number between two numbers. You are
suppose to use parameter passing in your
code.
Hint: if statement may be used in the public
sub procedure to find the smaller number
which must be passed to the procedure
calling it.
SUMMARY
A parameter is a piece of data that is sent to a procedure
when it is called
Actual parameters are passed to the procedure and are
matched to the formal parameters which are part of the
procedures declaration. The data type of a matching pair of
actual and formal parameters must be the same
Formal parameters are divided into value and reference
parameters. Any changes made to a reference parameter
inside a procedure are passed out again. Changes to a value
parameter cannot be passed out again.
SUMMARY CONTINUED
You do not have to declare formal parameters as value(ByVal)
or by reference (ByRef). If you dont, Visual Basic defaults to
reference
When you pass a parameter by reference when it should be
by value no errors occur, but if you pass by value when it
should have been by reference, a serious error will occur.