23.6.17 Function_Style_Procedures

Flag each procedure that can be rewritten as a function. A procedure can be converted into a function if it has exactly one parameter of mode out and no parameters of mode in out. Procedure declarations, formal procedure declarations, and generic procedure declarations are always checked. Procedure bodies and body stubs are flagged only if they do not have corresponding separate declarations. Procedure renamings and procedure instantiations are not flagged.

If a procedure can be rewritten as a function, but its out parameter is of a limited type, it is not flagged.

Protected procedures are not flagged. Null procedures also are not flagged.

This rule has no parameters.