{{DISPLAYTITLE:_MEM (function)}}
The '''_MEM''' function returns a _MEM block referring to the largest possible continuous memory region beginning at variable's offset.


{{PageSyntax}}
::: memory_block = '''_MEM(''reference_ variable'')'''

Unsecure {{PageSyntax}}
::: memory_block = '''_MEM(''offset'', ''byte_size'')'''


{{Parameters}}
* The ''memory block'' created will hold the ''reference variable''' or [[arrays|array]] value(s), type and byte size in a separate memory area.
* The secure syntax ''reference variable'' is an existing variable's referenced memory block.
* The unsecure syntax's designated ''offset'' and ''byte size'' cannot be guaranteed! '''AVOID if possible!'''


''Usage:''
* The ''memory block'' [[_MEM]] type variable holds the read only OFFSET, SIZE, TYPE and ELEMENTSIZE.
* All values created by memory functions MUST be freed using [[_MEMFREE]] with a valid [[_MEM]] variable type.
* '''_MEM function cannot reference variable length [[STRING]] variable values! String values must be designated as a fixed [[LEN]].'''


''Example:'' Assigning values to reference variables in memory.
{{CodeStart}} '' ''
{{Cl|DIM}} {{Cl|SHARED}} m(3) {{Cl|AS}} {{Cl|_MEM}}
{{Cl|DIM}} {{Cl|SHARED}} Saved(3)

m(1) = {{Cl|_MEM (function)|_MEM}}(x)
m(2) = {{Cl|_MEM (function)|_MEM}}(y)
m(3) = {{Cl|_MEM (function)|_MEM}}(z)

x = 3: y = 5: z = 8
{{Cl|PRINT}} x, y, z
Save x, y, z
x = 30: y = 50: z = 80
{{Cl|PRINT}} x, y, z

RestoreIt
{{Cl|PRINT}} x, y, z

{{Cl|_MEMFREE}} m(1)
{{Cl|_MEMFREE}} m(2)
{{Cl|_MEMFREE}} m(3)
{{Cl|END}}

{{Cl|SUB}} Save (n1, n2, n3)
Saved(1) = n1
Saved(2) = n2
Saved(3) = n3
{{Cl|END SUB}}

{{Cl|SUB}} RestoreIt
{{Cl|_MEMPUT}} m(1), m(1).OFFSET, Saved(1)
{{Cl|_MEMPUT}} m(2), m(2).OFFSET, Saved(2)
{{Cl|_MEMPUT}} m(3), m(3).OFFSET, Saved(3)
{{Cl|END SUB}} '' ''
{{CodeEnd}}{{small|Code by SMcNeill}}


''See also:''
* [[_MEM]] {{text|(varible type)}}
* [[_MEMNEW]], [[_MEMCOPY]]
* [[_MEMGET]], [[_MEMPUT]]
* [[_MEMFILL]], [[_MEMIMAGE]]
* [[_MEMFREE]]


{{PageNavigation}}