>I have related question. I think I recall that calling someFunction(@tcLongString) is quicker than someFunction(tcString) if we don't make any changes with tcString inside the function.
>
>Do I remember correctly and it's indeed better to use first syntax?
>
>Thanks in advance.

When you pass by reference (using @tcLongString) syntax, any code references made to the string result in the local value (from the caller) being updated as well.

* Example without by reference calling:
lcString = "Hi, mom!"
? "Before: " + lcString
test_function(@lcString)
? "After: " + lcString

? "-----"

lcString = "Hi, mom!"
? "Before: " + lcString
test_function(lcString)
? "After: " + lcString


FUNCTION test_function
LPARAMETERS tcString
tcString = CHRTRAN(tcString, "m", "-")