8. Functions

Functions handle execution isolation, scoping transitions, and value boundaries. In Aergia, functions are first-class values, meaning both named blocks and anonymous lambdas evaluate to function objects that can be assigned to variables, passed to other operations, or invoked inline.

If a function does not explicitly return a value, it will just return the value of the last evaluated expression.

Token	Mechanics	Syntax Pattern
{	Function / Lambda Declaration	Named: {name :p1 p2: body ...} Anonymous: { :p1 p2: expr }
@	Function Evaluation & Call	@target :arg1 arg2:
?	Return Force	? return_expr

Named Functions

Named functions are defined using an identifier immediately following the opening {. They can contain a multi-statement block body. To exit early or pass back a specific value from a named function body, use the return force token (?).

# Define a function named 'addNums' accepting two parameters
{addNums :a b:
    ? +a b
}

# Invoke the function directly by its identifier name
= total @addNums:10 20:
> total  # Prints 30

Anonymous Functions (Lambdas)

Anonymous functions omit the identifier name entirely, moving straight into the parameter block {:params: ...}.

# An inline multiplier lambda executed immediately
> @{:a b: *a b}:4 5:  # Prints 20

# A function that's defined similar to a variable
= subtract {:a b: -a b}
> @subtract:10 3:  # Prints 7

Argument Unpacking

Arguments can be unpacked from arrays using the backtick (`) modifer.

# A function that takes in 3 arguments
{add :x y z:
    ? +x +y z
}

# Unpacks array into arguments
= args <1 2 3>
> @add:`args:

# You can still use normal arguments alongside the unpacked ones
= some_args <4 5>
> @add:`some_args 6: