OpenOffice.org BASIC Guide - OpenOffice.org wiki

While...Wend
The While...Wend loop construct works exactly the same as the Do While...Loop, but with the disadvantage
that there is no Exit command available. The following two loops produce identical results:
Do While A > 10
' ... loop body
Loop
While A > 10
' ... loop body
Wend
Programming Example: Sorting With Embedded Loops
There are many ways to use loops, for example, to search lists, return values, or execute complex mathematical
tasks. The following example is an algorithm that uses two loops to sort a list by names.
Sub Sort
Dim Entry(1 To 10) As String
Dim Count As Integer
Dim Count2 As Integer
Dim Temp As String
Entry(1) = "Patty"
Entry(2) = "Kurt"
Entry(3) = "Thomas"
Entry(4) = "Michael"
Entry(5) = "David"
Entry(6) = "Cathy"
Entry(7) = "Susie"
Entry(8) = "Edward"
Entry(9) = "Christine"
Entry(10) = "Jerry"
For Count = 1 To 9
For Count2 = Count + 1 To 10
If Entry(Count) > Entry(Count2) Then
Temp = Entry(Count)
Entry(Count) = Entry(Count2)
Entry(Count2) = Temp
End If
Next Count2
Next Count
For Count = 1 To 10
Print Entry(Count)
Next Count
End Sub
The values are interchanged as pairs several times until they are finally sorted in ascending order. Like bubbles, the
variables gradually migrate to the right position. For this reason, this algorithm is also known as a Bubble Sort.
Procedures and Functions
Procedures and functions form pivotal points in the structure of a program. They provide the framework for
dividing a complex problem into various sub-tasks.
Procedures
A procedure executes an action without providing an explicit value. Its syntax is
Sub Test
Loops
Chapter 2 · The Language of OpenOffice.org BASIC 27