Beginner to User Defined Data Types (Custom Type, UDTs)

Thanks for the explanation Kyle. +1

Originally Posted by Kyle123

they can be handy when dealing with data with multiple properties and you can pass them around as parameters

True. On the other hand, I could use global level variables to pass data around instead of using a UDT could I not? As for the data with multiple properties - instead of using a UDT with 5 properties (or whatever they are called in UDTs), I could use 5 global variables.

Originally Posted by Kyle123

tbh I don't usually bother with UDTs, classes are much more useful.

I'm beginning to think of skipping UDTs and jump straight to classes. From what I've read/heard, they are much more useful!

Originally Posted by Kyle123

To take your logic to its natural conclusion, why even have functions at all? You wouldn't need them if everything is a global variable..

I'm afraid I'm having trouble following that logic. Functions return a value (usually as a result of a calculation). Variables can only retain a value.

Originally Posted by Kyle123

Scope should be kept as small as possible, have a read here about scope http://www.vb6.us/tutorials/variable-scope, then here (http://www.xtremevbtalk.com/showthread.php?t=201646) about why global variables (as opposed to constants) are bad, or at least why they should really only be used as a last resort..I think you should cover the basics first and understand good programming practice, without understanding scope, I think public and private members of classes will completely pass you by.

You don't need to convince me on the coding practice of keeping scopes as small as possible. That is something that I do practice when coding.
Having said that, I do occasionally use global (well project level ) variables when I need to hold values that will be reused in the same WB session.