Functions
Introduction
The C functions that you have used so far (such as
printf and scanf ) are built into the C libraries, but you
can also write your own functions.
Therefore functions can be classified as built-in and
user defined.
What is a function
A named Block of source code that performs a specific task and
optionally returns a value to the calling program.
Named-@ function has a unique name. By using the name in other
parts of a program you can execute statements in the function.
Task -discrete job your program must perform as part of overall
operation i.e calc triangle area.
When program calls function, statements inside it are executed.
These statements can pass information back to the calling
program
Function Role
Help to provide modularity to software
Can be executed many times at different points of
your program with no code duplication
Complex tasks can be divided into small manageable
and can be tested independently before joining them
again
Allows sharing of rensponsibilities between
developers if tam define standard functions to use.
Function Structure
It starts with function header, which is the same as
the function prototype but does not end with a
semicolon.
The function prototype and the definition must have
exactly the same return type, name and parameter
list.
It followed by the function name and then the
parameter List.
Structure
Return_type function_name(parametr_list)
{
//statements
}
Sample
int square(int x)
{
int y;
y = x*x;
return y;
}
Function header has three parts
Return type
Refers to the data type of the return value of function. If function
doesn’t return a value we use void.
Function name-
Refers to the name of function.
It must be meaningful and express what it does.
Par list-
Refers to parameters passed to function which is optional.
Must contain a datatype and name.
{}
Real work happens here.
execution begins at start of { and ends return statement or }
Rules
Before using a function, you must declare it.
Function implementation must match function
declaration for all parts of return datatype,function
name, par list.
When you pass parameter to function,thy must match
datatype , order of parameters
You cant define a function within another function.
Example 1
Write a function that displays your name when its
called from the main program.
Calling the function
To execute the function we must call it
names();
Function with Arguments
Calling the Function
Example 2
Using a function write a program that computes the
area of a rectangle
int area(int l,int w)
{
int ansa=l*w;
return ansa;
}
Main Program
int length,width,ansa;
printf(“Enter Length\n");
scanf("%d",&length);
printf(“Enter Width\n");
scanf("%d",&width);
ansa=area(length,width);
printf("Total:%d",ansa);
Note
Use function name that describe its purpose
Don’t pass values to function if it doesn’t need
Don’t pass fewer or more arguments than the
parameters in function
Task
Write a function that will accept the radius of a circle
and return the area of the circle to the calling
program.
Write a C program to calculate the circumference of a
circle given its radius. Implement calculation of
circumference as a separate function
The Scope of a Variable
A variable has a scope, which determines how long it
is available to your program (or function) and where
it can be accessed from.
Variables declared within a block are scoped only to
that block; they can be accessed only within that
block and go out of existence when the execution of
the block is completed.
Local Variables
A variable declared inside a function is called a local
variable. Scope of a local variable is limited to the
function. Such variables are not seen by any other
functions including the main function.
Local Variables
When you pass a variable to a function ,you are
actually passing a copy of the variable (called passed
by value), but not the variable it self.
This means that the value of the passed variable
cannot be changed by any other function.
Global Variables
Global-variables declared outside any function. global
means their scope is global can be accessed from any
part of program
Example
Continuation
