Procedure Calling Sequence for Visual Basic 6.0 Users

Visual Basic 2008 introduces several changes affecting procedure calling sequences. These changes improve syntax consistency.

Parentheses in Procedure Calls

Visual Basic 6.0

In Visual Basic 6.0, parentheses are required around the argument list in Function calls. In Sub calls, they are required if you use the Call statement and forbidden if you do not. The following example shows valid calling statements:

y = Sqrt(x)

Call displayCell(2, 14, cellValue)

displayCell 2, 14, cellValue ' Variation on previous statement.

Visual Basic 2008

In Visual Basic 2008, parentheses are always required around a non-empty argument list in any procedure call. In Sub calls, the Call statement is optional. The preceding example can be rewritten as follows:

Y = Math.Sqrt(X)


...


DisplayCell(2, 14, Value)

If you are calling a procedure without supplying any arguments, you can include empty parentheses or leave them out altogether.

Return Statement

Visual Basic 6.0

In Visual Basic 6.0, you use the Return statement only to branch back to the code following a GoSub statement. Both statements must be in the same procedure.

Visual Basic 2008

In Visual Basic 2008, the GoSub statement is not supported, and you can use the Return statement to return control to the calling program from a Function or Sub procedure.

See Also

Concepts

Declaration Syntax for Visual Basic 6.0 Users

Procedure Declaration for Visual Basic 6.0 Users

Parameter Passing Mechanism for Visual Basic 6.0 Users

Control Statement for Visual Basic 6.0 Users

Programming Element Support Changes Summary

Reference

Return Statement (Visual Basic)

Call Statement (Visual Basic)