AmpScript Custom Functions

Question

I have been using AMPscript for a while and I know that there is no way to create custom functions. I was wondering if anybody has come up with an alternative for this?

thanks

Answer 1

If your goal is re-using code, then Content Areas are the closest thing to simulating a function.

If you create a Content Area (function) that accepts certain variables (interface), you can have the Content Area output a value or whatever. E.g.:

In your email:

%%[ 

/* Interface */
set @number1 = 1 
set @number2 = 2

]%%
<!-- call the function --> 
%%=TreatAsContent(ContentAreaByName("My Contents\AddFunction"))=%%

<!-- output the result of the function -->
<br>The sum is %%=v(@sum)=%%

In the AddFunction Content Area:

%%[

 /* function */
 set @sum = add(@number1,@number2)

]%%

Output

The sum is 3

I have a more specific example on my blog that deals with displaying products in an email.