Passing variables: Functions

Question

Sorry if this is nooby questions:
How can i pass variables between functions in AS. I know how
to return a value and you can pass parameters into a function but
say I had an outer function (say "a") with a local var (say "vara")
with a subtended function (say "b") how can i pass "vara" into
function b and then return it out so the value of "vara" has been
updated. Sorry if bad explanation. Is this possible with local
vars? or would i have to use a regular var which both functions can
access?

Answer 1

> This will basically do what your asking. If I missed the
mark let me know.
I think you did
>> say I had an outer function
>> (say "a") with a local var (say "vara") with a
subtended function (say
>> "b") how
>> can i pass "vara" into function b and then return it
out so the value of
>> "vara"
>> has been updated.
Short answer .. no .. you can only pass things by value, and
you can only
return values.
You cannot pass a variable into a function and have the
function modify the
variable.
If you want to update a single variable with the result of a
function, then
you can do as TimSymons suggested: vara = b(vara);
But that doesn't seem to be what you're asking.
You can, however, put your variables inside an Object, pass
the Object to a
function, and modify the variables inside the object, then
when the function
returns, the object has the modified variables. eg
function a() {
var myvars = { vara : 123, varb : 456};
b(myvars);
trace(myvars.vara);
trace(myvars.varb);
function b(myvars) {
myvars.vara = myvars.vara * 2;
myvars.varb = 789;
Jeckyl