{{QBDLDATE:05-20-2022}}
{{QBDLTIME:23:11:40}}
The [[ABS]] function returns the unsigned numerical value of a variable or literal value.


{{PageSyntax}}
:{{Parameter|positive}} = [[ABS]]({{Parameter|numericalValue}})


{{PageDescription}}
* [[ABS]] always returns positive numerical values. The value can be any numerical type.
* Often used to keep a value positive when necessary in a program. 
* Use [[SGN]] to determine a value's sign when necessary.
* '''QB64''' allows programs to return only positive [[_UNSIGNED]] variable values using a [[DIM]] or [[_DEFINE]] statement.


{{PageExamples}}
''Example:'' Finding the absolute value of positive and negative numerical values.
{{CodeStart}}
a = -6
b = -7
c = 8
{{Cl|IF...THEN|IF}} a < 0 {{Cl|THEN}} a = {{Cl|ABS}}(a)
b = {{Cl|ABS}}(b)
c = {{Cl|ABS}}(c)
{{Cl|PRINT}} a, b, c 
{{CodeEnd}}
{{OutputStart}} 6        7        8
{{OutputEnd}}


{{PageSeeAlso}}
* [[SGN]], [[DIM]]
* [[_UNSIGNED]]
* [[_DEFINE]]
* [[Mathematical Operations]]


{{PageNavigation}}