Arrays in Delphi allow us to refer to a series of variables by the same name and to use a number (an index) to tell them apart.

Here's an example integer array that can hold up to 7 (integer) values. Note: this is a fixed-size static Delphi array declaration.

var DayVisitors : array[0..6] of Integer;

Arrays as Function Return Types

In Delphi, functions are routines that return a value.
When you want a function to return an array type variable, you might be tempted to use the next declaration:


function GetWeekTotal(weekIndex : integer) : array[0..6] of integer; begin   //this will NOT compileend; When you try to compile this code, you'll get the next compile-time error: [Pascal Error] E2029 Identifier expected but 'ARRAY' found.
Obviously, when you declare functions that will return array value, you cannot include index type specifiers return declaration.

In order to allow a function to return an array value, you first need to create a custom array type, then use it as a return function type:

//this WILL compiletype   TDayVisitors = array[0..6] of integer;...function GetWeekTotal(weekIndex : integer) : TDayVisitors; begin   //do some calculation for the provided "week"end;

Arrays as Method/Routine Properties

Similar to using arrays as function return types, when you declare routines that take array parameters, you cannot include index type specifiers in the parameter declarations.
type   TDayVisitors = array[0..6] of integer;...procedure DisplayWeekTotal(weekVisitors : TDayVisitors) ; begin   //display some info for the provided "week"end;

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