Switch to force procedure output to a string...

[DoubleDutch]

A switch to force procedure output to a string could be pretty handy ($ could be appended to the procedure name).

eg:

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a=Len(x$)  ; output is a number

b$=Len$(x$) ; output is a string

It could be ignored if the output is already a string (so Left( and Left$( would be identical).

A side effect is that syntax would be more compatible with traditional BASICS.

[blueznl]

-1

Why?

Well...

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a$ = str$(len("-1000"))
a$ = len$("-1000")

I personally think it would just muddle up code, and I have enough problems as it is to keep my code straight

[DoubleDutch]

It would be optional, you wouldn't have to use it = no muddle for you. lol

[PB]

At first I couldn't work out what you wanted, then I realised you just wanted
a way to avoid using Str. So why not just make a macro for yourself? Example:

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Macro LenS(code)
  Str(Len(code))
EndMacro

x$="123"
a=Len(x$)
b$=LenS(x$)

Granted, I know this means making a macro for every numeric command,
but you only need to do it once and stick it in a Residents file, and then it's
always there for you.

[DoubleDutch]

Another advantage is that PureBasic syntax would become more compatible with standard BASICs, thus making it easier for newcomers to become familiar with.

Mid$(x$,2,3) would work the same as Mid(x$,2,3)

If this was extended so that any datatypes could override the output from a procedure then it would be even better. If its the same as the default datatype then no conversion, else the conversion could be added to the compiled code automatically.

eg.

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Procedure xyz.s()
  result$="123"
  ProcedureReturn result$
EndProcedure

z$=xyz()
x=xyz.l()

The default datatype being the one specified when the procedure was created.