Common Calling Conventions

This page identifies some common calling conventions that are shared by many GISDK functions.

Function names begin with a verb, except:

  • Some functions that would begin with Create and that return the named object have the Create dropped; for example, what would be CreateCircle() is just Circle()
  • Functions that would begin with Convert or Compute have that dropped as well; for example, what would be ConvertRealToInt() is just RealToInt()
  • Boolean functions take the form of a declaration rather than a command, such as CoordInMap()

In addition, the following abbreviations are used:

Term

Abbreviation

Integer

Int

Geography

Geo

Minimum

Min

Maximum

Max

Database

DB (for geographic files only)

Dialog Box

Dbox

Description

Desc

Information

Info

For more information, see:

Optional Arguments

Passing Null to Represent a Default Value

Identifying Maps, Layers, and Selection Sets

Identifying Views and Sets

Identifying Fonts

Identifying Windows

Identifying Fields

Identifying Files and Folders

Using Boolean Values

Using Options Arrays