Extended syntax allows you to drop the result of a function. This means that you can use a function call as if it were a procedure. Standard this feature is on. You can switch it off using the {$X-} or {$EXTENDEDSYNTAX OFF}directive.
The following, for instance, will not compile:
function Func (var Arg : sometype) : longint;
begin ... { declaration of Func } end; ... {$X-} Func (A); |
The reason this construct is supported is that you may wish to call a function for certain side-effects it has, but you don’t need the function result. In this case you don’t need to assign the function result, saving you an extra variable.
The command-line compiler switch -Sa1 has the same effect as the {$X+} directive.
By default, extended syntax is assumed.