function functionName [parameterList]
  statements 
end functionName

The function keyword defines a new function handler of the specified name. You call a function by placing parentheses after its name, enclosing any parameters within the parentheses: get deleteSpaces(" hello ") The optional parameterList lets a function handler receive values sent along with the function call. When a function is called, HyperCard evaluates each item within the parenthetical list following the function's name. When the handler begins to execute, HyperCard assigns each value to a parameter variable in the parameterList. Use the return keyword within the function definition to have the function return a value to the handler that called it. If you don't use return, the function evaluates to empty.