Scoping problem when trying to assign vector of strings in DOORS DXL - scoping

Question

I want to be able to send a selector value to a function, and have the function create a string array of values for use in subsequent operations. The problem I'm running into is that the DXL rules don't "see" a declared variable inside an "if {} " block, even when I've guaranteed that in all cases my string array would get initialized. Example:
string tryme( int thechoice){
string outit
if (thechoice == 1){
outit = "you chose one"
}
else if (thechoice ==2){
outit = "you chose two"
}
else { outit = "bad choice"}
// do a bunch of stuff with "outit" values
return outit
}
// that works, but this doesn't
string trymore( int thechoice){
if (thechoice == 1){
string outit[] = {"you chose one","and one"}
}
else if (thechoice ==2){
string outit[] = {"you chose two","and two", "and three"}
}
else { string outit = "bad choice"}
// do a bunch of stuff with "outit" values
return outit
}
I could use dynamic arrays, thus allowing me to declare the array prior to the "if{}", but then I'm forced to write loops inside each case, using put to load the array.
I know DXL has a limited capability, but if anyone knows a better approach please let me know.
additional constraint
In the end, I want to be able to call the function repeatedly from a loop, changing "thechoice" each time. That is why I can't declare the string array in the parent script, because once declared ( string outit[] = {'a','b'} ) , DXL cannot delete or resize the array.

Answer 1

It's easier than that, tho' a bit counterintuitive . I need to declare a string vector with out assigning anything, then generate a temporary string vector, then set my desired variable equal to the temp. Like this:
string trymore( int thechoice){
string outit[]
string whatdone
if (thechoice == 1){
string foo[] = {"you chose one","and one"}
whatdone = "did one"
outit = foo
}
else if (thechoice ==2){
string foo[] = {"you chose two","and two", "and three"}
whatdone = "did two"
outit = foo
}
else {
string foo[] = "bad choice"
whatdone = "nogood"
outit = foo
}
print "outit " outit[0] "\n"
// do a bunch of stuff with "outit" values
return whatdone
}
DXL will not allow you to assign the values to outit , crying "length mismatch", but will allow you to set outit equal to the fully defined foo