Best way to handle reuseable code?

[gclifford]

Hello,

I have a bunch of code being used repetitively in my app - an example is that I need to update a collection, clearcollection(x,y,x,y), and the formula is very long and complicated.  Currently I have this same clearcollection command copy/pasted onto many pages within the application so that it gets updated as needed.  Is there a way to wrap this into a function of some kind and then just call the function on each page so that if I ever need to update the formula for the collection I can do in a single place?

I have many other use cases like the above - this is just an example.

G

[ZabiBabar]

Hey @gclifford , I do not know of a way to store functions and commands in a variable or your own function. However, you can use component libraries for this purpose. Libraries accept input and return an output but even then, I don't think that will work for the clearCollect cases but for other cases, it might work. 

You can vote for this idea https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Apps-Ideas/Reusable-formulas/idi-p/549066.

Best,
Zabi
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[eka24]

It depends on the collection in particular. The ClearCollect itself could be reused.

Some of the functions are Set, UpdateContext and With.

Can give more information on what you want to achieve?

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[KrishnaV]

Hi @gclifford ,

In Power Apps, unfortunately we don't have a way to do the code reusability 😥 .... If I read you right you want to implement the way how we create a class in .Net project where we consolidate all the reusable code and refer across the project.

As the tag name of Power App is NO CODE / LOW CODE 😄 So the product team has not given that opportunity for us. I have also experienced this issue and spent time hours on this but there is no way. Well we can create a screen to define colors and other regular controls but not for creating or clearing collections.

I hope this resolved your issue if you see any challenge/need further help please let me know I am always happy to do it for my community.

Regards,
Krishna
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[mdevaney]

@gclifford 
I like to use the toggle control to store code that is used multiple places in the same app.  It serves the same purpose as a 'function' in other pro-developer languages.

To start, create a new toggle and put your re-usable put code in the OnCheck property.

your_code_here

Next, put this code in the Default property of the toggle

varDefaultToggle

Finally, put this code wherever you want to trigger the 'function' code to run

Set(varDefaultToggle, true); Set(varDefaultToggle, false)

Thanks @KrishnaV for asking me to participate in this thread.

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[WarrenBelz]

Hi @gclifford ,

If you are on the same screen, you can do it with a hidden button with the code on it and use

Select(ButtonName)

which is the same as selecting the button. @mdevaney 's workaround however is very clever and is a better option - however I was wondering if remotely setting a control triggers the OnSelect property.

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[KrishnaV]

Hi @mdevaney ,

WOOOOOOW.... what an idea Matthew 😊 I really respect your knowledge and idea.

@gclifford  I believe you got Matthew idea if not please let me know I can elaborate further.

Again, thank you for the pro tip, Matthew.

Regards,

Krishna

[mdevaney]

@KrishnaV 
My favorite use cases for the 'toggle as a function' trick are:

• Refreshing a collection with new data
• Executing code when a component is clicked
• Sending an email message 

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[WarrenBelz]

Hi @mdevaney ,

I cannot get this to work (and would love to use it) - I also tried a Reset(ToggleName) in the middle. The code works if you select the control (as you would expect), but I am getting no results by simply toggling the Variable.

[KrishnaV]

 Hi @WarrenBelz ,

It worked for me but a small change:
1. Set the code for onChange event of the toggle

2. onSelect button on the other screen change the formula as

Set(varResetToggle, !varResetToggle);

I hope now your code will also execute this change.

Regards,

Krishna