Re: Function returns null
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg104735] Re: Function returns null
- From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
- Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 06:47:09 -0500 (EST)
- References: <hd3mlc$9j5$1@smc.vnet.net>
Michael Greene wrote:
> I'm getting an unexpected result when I remove a print statement from my
> function. The function computes a single digit sum of digits and returns
> what I expect as long as the print statement just prior to the function exit
> is present. I can verify that by invoking the function within a print
> statement, e.g.,
>
> Print["sOd returned - ",sOd[3329]]
>
> When I remove the print within the function, the function returns a null
> result. What simple point am I missing ? Does the := operator have something
> to do with this?
>
> Here is the function: (with embedded print statement)
>
> sOd[x0_] := Module[{sodv, x, digit},
> x = IntegerPart[x0]; (* ensure we have an integer input*)
> sodv = x;
> If[(x > 9), { (* sum digits if input has two or more digits*)
> sodv = 0;
> While[x > 0,
> digit = (FractionalPart[x /10])*10;
> sodv = sodv + digit;
> x = IntegerPart[x/10];
> ];
> sodv = sOd[sodv]; (* check for multiple digit sum *)
> }
> ]
> Print["sOd returns -", sodv]; (* remove this and function returns null*)
> Return[sodv]; (* return single digit sum *)
> ]
>
>
> Thanks,
> Michael Greene
>
>
On the line above the Print there is the closing ] belonging to an If,
and this should be followed by a semicolon. Because you omitted the
semicolon, Mathematica sees the If statement multiplied by the following
statement - the Print. Without the Print, the If gets multiplied by the
Return, and stops it working correctly!
David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk