How to reference characters within visually selected text within a function?

Hi,

I have a question. I am trying to create a function that uses visually selected text. For example:

Let's say I have

12345

And I highlight the characters

234

How would I access the selected text '234' within a vim function?

Or another example, let's say I have

12345
abcde

And I highlight (using visual block) the characters

234
bcd

How would I access the selected text within a vim function?

Sincerely,
Jon

P.S. I just recently subscribed.

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