Should I use Call keyword in VB/VBA?

📞 Should I Use Call Keyword in VB/VBA? 🤔

Are you a VB/VBA developer who's been wondering if you should use the Call keyword when calling subs? 🤔 Well, you're not alone! It's a common question, and in this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of using the Call keyword and help you make an informed decision. 💡

The Call Keyword - Explicit or Noise? 📢

Let's address the first concern expressed in the question: is the Call keyword more explicit or just noise? 🤷‍♂️ The answer is subjective and depends on personal preference and coding style.

The Call keyword was required in earlier versions of Visual Basic, but starting from VB6, it became optional. Nowadays, omitting the Call keyword is the recommended approach for calling subs. This is because it simplifies your code and makes it more readable, reducing unnecessary clutter. 🧹

Consider the following code examples:

' 🚫 Omitting the Call keyword (preferrred approach)
Sub MySub()
    ' Sub implementation here
End Sub

Sub AnotherSub()
    MySub
End Sub
' ✅ Using the Call keyword (older approach)
Sub MySub()
    ' Sub implementation here
End Sub

Sub AnotherSub()
    Call MySub
End Sub

As you can see, omitting the Call keyword doesn't compromise the clarity or intent of your code. So, feel free to embrace the simplicity and readability it brings to your VB/VBA projects! 🎉

Performance Myth: Is Call Keyword Faster? ⚡️

Some forums and discussions claim that using the Call keyword makes your code faster because it doesn't allocate stack space for the return value. Is this true? Let's clear things up! 😉

In reality, whether you use the Call keyword or not has no impact on the performance of your code. The compiler optimizes your code and handles the stack space allocation regardless of the presence of the Call keyword. So, you can choose to use or omit the Call keyword based on your preference and code readability without worrying about performance implications. 👍

Conclusion - To Call or Not to Call? 🤷‍♀️

Now that we've explored the ins and outs of using the Call keyword in VB/VBA, it's time for you to decide! If you prefer cleaner and more concise code, we recommend omitting the Call keyword when calling subs. Embrace the simplicity and enjoy improved readability. 🌟

Remember, personal preference and consistency within your codebase are key. So, be consistent with your chosen style and stick to it throughout your project. 👨‍💻

If you found this blog post helpful, share it with your friends and colleagues to help them decide whether to use the Call keyword too! And if you have any questions or thoughts on this topic, let's discuss it in the comments below! 💬👇