# Syntax Question

**URL:** https://forum.kirupa.com/t/syntax-question/166451
**Category:** flash
**Created:** [October 20, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/syntax-question/166451 "2005-10-20T01:42:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Dae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/47e85d/32.png) [@Dae](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Dae)
#### Post date: [October 20, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/syntax-question/166451/1 "2005-10-20T01:42:50Z")

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I was just curious if you HAVE to assign the return value of a function to something in order to preform operations on it.

```auto
		something.getClip().onRelease = function() {
			//
		}

```

Thats probably illegal right? It’s illegal in C++, but theres usually a way to get around it like… (getFocusClip()).onRelease. Or should I just forget it and do it the right way:

```auto
		var tempClip:MovieClip = something.getClip();
		tempClip.onRelease = function() {
 			//
 		}

```