Maxscript function forward declaration

Question

I'm having the age old problem of Maxscripts not working the first time they are run (from a cold start) because the functions need to be declared before they are used.

The following script will fail the FIRST time it is run:

fOne()
function fOne = 
(
    fTwo()
)

function fTwo = 
(
    messageBox ("Hello world!")
)

We get the error : "Type error: Call needs function or class, got: undefined". Second time around, the script will run fine.

However, adding a forward declaration to the script, we no longer get an error. Horrah! BUT the function is no longer called. Boo!

-- declare function names before calling them!
function fOne = ()
function fTwo = ()

fOne()
function fOne = 
(
    fTwo()
)

function fTwo = 
(
    messageBox ("Hello world!")
)

So, how does forward declaration really work in Maxscript?

Answer 1

To my future self: Keep everything local. Declare the section function as a (local) variable. Be aware of whereabouts in the code you define the functions

( -- put everything in brackets

    (
    -- declare the second function first!
    local funcTwo

    -- declare function names before calling them!
    function funcOne = ()
    function funcTwo = ()

    funcOne()

    function funcOne = 
    (
    funcTwo()
    )

    function funcTwo = 
    (
    messageBox ("Hello world")
    )
)

Answer 2

you cannot call something before declaring it... it's not actionscript... it works the second time you run the code because it can find the function...

struct myFunc (
    function fOne =  (
        fTwo()
    ),
    function fTwo =  (
        messageBox ("Hello world!")
    )
)
myFunc.fOne()

Answer 3

the "::" is the key. Sadly this isn't a well known or documented feature. http://lotsofparticles.blogspot.ie/2009/09/lost-gems-in-maxscript-forcing-global.html

::fOne() -- this will error if forward declaration is not working.

function fOne = 
(
    ::fTwo()
)

function fTwo = 
(
    messageBox ("Hello world!")
)