How to specify only some optional arguments when calling function in ColdFusion?

Question

I have a ColdFusion function "foo" which takes three args, and the second two are optional:

<cffunction name="foo" access="public" returntype="any">
    <cfargument name="arg1" type="any" required="true" />
    <cfargument name="arg2" type="any" required="false" default="arg2" />
    <cfargument name="arg3" type="any" required="false" default="arg3" />

    ...

    <cfreturn whatever />
</cffunction>

I want to call foo, passing in arg1 and arg3, but leaving out arg2. I know that this is possible if I call the function using cfinvoke, but that syntax is really verbose and complicated. I have tried these two approaches, neither works:

<cfset somevar=foo(1, arg3=3) /> <!--- gives syntax error --->
<cfset somevar=foo(1, arg3:3) /> <!--- gives syntax error --->

Solution 1

You have to use named arguments throughout. You can't mix named and positional arguments as you can in some other languages.

<cfset somevar = foo(arg1=1, arg3=3) />   

Solution 2

Or.. you can use ArgumentCollection

In CF9 or above...

<cfset somevar = foo(argumentCollection={arg1=1, arg3=3})>

In CF8 or above...

<cfset args = {arg1=1, arg3=3}>
<cfset somevar = foo(argumentCollection=args)>

If CF7 or below...

<cfset args = structNew()>
<cfset args.arg1 = 1>
<cfset args.arg3 = 3>
<cfset somevar = foo(argumentCollection=args)>

Solution 3

if you use named args you have to name the first too

<cffunction name="foo" access="public" returntype="any">
    <cfargument name="arg1" type="any" required="true" />
    <cfargument name="arg2" type="any" required="false" default="arg2" />
    <cfargument name="arg3" type="any" required="false" default="arg3" />

    <cfreturn arg2 & " " & arg3>
</cffunction>


<cfset b = foo(arg1:1,arg3:2)>
<cfoutput>#b#</cfoutput>