Can a contract function both change the state and return a value when it's called externally [duplicate]

Question

Assume we have a test() function in our contract:

contract {
 uint state;

 function test() returns (bool ){
   state= 5;
   return true; 
 }
}

I'm aware that if the test() function didn't have to change the state, then we can use:

  ver result= instance. test.call();

where "instance" is an instance of deployed contract. But what about the above case? The above code can be used in a case where a user interface interactively tells users that their request has been completed (e.g. their vote has been registered, etc.)

Answer 1

You can use call() on constant functions. It seems the constant keywork is not yet implemented inside the EVM:

The compiler does not enforce yet that a view method is not modifying state.

However, call() doesn't work the same in and out of the EVM, you can read a more in-depth explanation. An outside call, from web3js for example, will run locally and state changes won't be propagated.

I'm not sure of your exact question, but if you modify anything inside a call() your changes will be lost.