Functions in C:

A function is a self-contained block of code that performs a specific task.

There are two types of functions in C:

User-defined Functions → created by the programmer.

1.​ Function Declaration (Prototype)

A function declaration tells the compiler:
●​ The function’s name
●​ Its return type
●​ The number and type of parameters
It helps the compiler check that function calls are made correctly.
Example
#include <stdio.h>

// Function Declaration
float areaOfCircle(float radius);

int main() {
float r = 5.0;
float area = areaOfCircle(r); // Function Call
printf("Area = %.2f\n", area);
return 0;
}

// Function Definition
float areaOfCircle(float radius) {
return 3.14 * radius * radius;
}

✅floatHere,​
areaOfCircle(float radius); → is a function declaration.​
It informs the compiler before main() that a function with that signature exists.

2.​ Function Definition

A function definition provides the actual body (code) that performs the work.​
It includes statements, logic, and (optionally) a return statement.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
// Function Definition
void displayMessage() {
 printf("Hello! Welcome to the world of C functions.\n");
}
int main() {
displayMessage(); // Function Call
return 0;
}

✅voidHere,​
displayMessage() { ... } is the function definition —​
it tells the compiler what the function does.

3.​ Function Call

💻 A function call tells the program to execute the code inside a function.
Example
#include <stdio.h>

void greetUser() {
printf("Good Morning, User!\n");
}

int main() {
greetUser(); // Function Call
greetUser(); // Can be called multiple times
return 0;
}

✅theEach time you call greetUser();,​

control jumps to that function and executes it.

4.​ Calling Function and Called Function

●​ Calling Function → The function that invokes another function.

●​ Called Function → The function that is executed when called.​

💻 Example
#include <stdio.h>
// Called Function
void displaySquare(int n) {
printf("Square of %d = %d\n", n, n * n);
}
int main() {
// Calling Function
displaySquare(6);
return 0;
}
✅✅main() → Calling Function​
displaySquare() → Called Function

5.​ Parameters (Formal Parameters)

Parameters are variables listed in the function definition that receive values from
the calling function.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
void printSum(int a, int b) { // Parameters: a, b
printf("Sum = %d\n", a + b);
}
int main() {
printSum(10, 20); // Function Call with Arguments
return 0;
}
Here,​
a and b → parameters (formal arguments) used within the function.

6.​ Arguments (Actual Parameters)

Arguments are actual values passed to a function during a call.​
They are copied into the function’s parameters.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
void multiply(int x, int y) {
printf("Product = %d\n", x * y);
}
int main() {
multiply(4, 5); // Arguments: 4, 5
multiply(7, 3); // Arguments: 7, 3
return 0;
}

Here,​
4, 5 and 7, 3 → arguments passed to multiply() function.

7.​ Return Value

A return value is the result a function sends back to the calling function using the
return statement.
Example
#include <stdio.h>

// Function returning a value

int findMax(int a, int b) {
if (a > b)
return a;
else
return b;
}

int main() {
int m = findMax(25, 40);
printf("Maximum = %d\n", m);
return 0;
}

Here,
findMax() returns an integer to main(), which is printed.

Types of functions:

1. Function with No Arguments and No Return Value

●​ Doesn’t take any input from the user.
●​ Doesn’t return any output to the calling function.​
Used for performing fixed operations.​

Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void greet() {
printf("Hello! Welcome to C programming.\n");
}
int main() {
greet(); // Function call
return 0;
}
Output:
Hello! Welcome to C programming.

2. Function with Arguments but No Return Value

●​ Takes inputs (parameters) but does not return a value.
●​ Commonly used for displaying or processing data.​

Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void add(int a, int b) {
int sum = a + b;
printf("Sum = %d\n", sum);
}
int main() {
add(5, 10); // Passing arguments
return 0;
}
Output:
Sum = 15

3. Function with No Arguments but Returns a Value

●​ Takes no input but returns a result.
●​ Used when values are obtained inside the function (e.g., user input).​

Example:
#include <stdio.h>
int getNumber() {
int x;
printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%d", &x);
return x; // returns value to main
}

int main() {
int num = getNumber();
printf("You entered: %d\n", num);
return 0;
}

Output:
Enter a number: 25
You entered: 25

4. Function with Arguments and Return Value

●​ Takes inputs and returns a result.
●​ Most commonly used logic in real applications.​

Example:
#include <stdio.h>

int multiply(int a, int b) {

return a * b;
}

int main() {
int x = 6, y = 7;
int result = multiply(x, y);
printf("Product = %d\n", result);
return 0;
}

Output:
Product = 42

Components of a Function
Term Description Example

Function Tells the compiler about function name, int add(int, int);
Declaration return type, and parameters before its use.
(Prototype)

Function Definition Contains the actual code (body) of the int add(int a, int b) {
function. return a + b; }

Function Call Invokes the function to perform its task. sum = add(10, 20);

Calling Function The function that calls another function. main() calls add()

Called Function The function being called. add()

Parameter Variable declared in the function int add(int a, int b) → a, b

definition to receive values. are parameters

Argument Actual values passed during a function add(10, 20) → 10, 20 are
call. arguments

Return Value The value that a function gives back to return a + b;

the calling function.
Library Functions in C:
A library function is a predefined function provided by the C standard library (stdlib).​
These functions are already compiled, tested, and stored in the C libraries —​
we just use them in our programs by including the proper header file.

✅we Weonlydon’t write the code for these functions —​

call them when needed.

Examples:
Function Header File Purpose

printf() <stdio.h> Prints output on the screen

scanf() <stdio.h> Reads input from the user

sqrt() <math.h> Returns square root

strlen() <string.h> Finds length of a string

strcpy() <string.h> Copies one string into another

toupper() <ctype.h> Converts character to uppercase

malloc() <stdlib.h> Allocates memory dynamically

exit() <stdlib.h> Terminates program execution

time() <time.h> Returns current time

rand() <stdlib.h> Generates a random number

⚙️ 2️⃣ Why Use Library Functions?

✅✅Saves time (no need to write code from scratch)​

✅ Reliable and tested by experts​

✅ Portable across all systems​

Helps maintain code readability

🧩 3️⃣ How to Use Library Functions

To use a library function:
 1.​ Include its header file using #include.​

2.​ Call the function by its name with required arguments.​

💻 Example 1: Using sqrt() from <math.h>

#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>

int main() {
double num = 25.0;
double result = sqrt(num); // Library function
printf("Square root of %.2f = %.2f\n", num, result);
return 0;
}

🧾 Output:
Square root of 25.00 = 5.00

📌WhenNote:​compiling, link the math library:​

gcc example.c -o example -lm

🔢 4️⃣ Categories of Library Functions

Category Header Examples
File

Input / Output <stdio.h> printf(), scanf(), gets(), puts(), fopen(), fclose()

String Handling <string.h> strlen(), strcpy(), strcmp(), strcat(), strrev()

Mathematical <math.h> sqrt(), pow(), ceil(), floor(), fabs()

Character Handling <ctype.h> toupper(), tolower(), isalpha(), isdigit()

Memory <stdlib.h> malloc(), calloc(), realloc(), free()

Management

General Utilities <stdlib.h> exit(), rand(), abs(), atoi()

Date and Time <time.h> time(), clock(), difftime(), ctime()

 File Handling <stdio.h> fopen(), fprintf(), fscanf(), fclose()

💻 5️⃣ Example 2: String Library Functions

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

int main() {
char str1[20] = "Hello";
char str2[20] = "World";

printf("Length of str1 = %zu\n", strlen(str1));

strcpy(str2, str1);
printf("After copying, str2 = %s\n", str2);

strcat(str1, " C");

printf("After concatenation, str1 = %s\n", str1);

return 0;
}

🧾 Output:
Length of str1 = 5
After copying, str2 = Hello
After concatenation, str1 = Hello C

💻 6️⃣ Example 3: Character Library Functions

#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>

int main() {
char ch = 'a';

if (isalpha(ch))
printf("%c is an alphabet\n", ch);
printf("Uppercase: %c\n", toupper(ch));
printf("Lowercase: %c\n", tolower('G'));

return 0;
}
🧾 Output:
a is an alphabet
Uppercase: A
Lowercase: g

💻 7️⃣ Example 4: Memory & Random Number Functions

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <time.h>

int main() {
srand(time(0)); // seed for random
int randomNum = rand() % 100; // random 0–99
printf("Random number: %d\n", randomNum);

int *ptr = (int*)malloc(5 * sizeof(int));

if (ptr == NULL) {
printf("Memory not allocated.\n");
exit(0);
} else {
printf("Memory allocated successfully!\n");
free(ptr);
}

return 0;
}

🧾 Output:
Random number: 47
Memory allocated successfully!

Example 5: Date and Time Library Functions

#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>

int main() {
time_t currentTime;
time(&currentTime); // get current time
 printf("Current local time: %s", ctime(&currentTime));
return 0;
}

🧾 Output (example):
Current local time: Wed Oct 15 [Link] 2025

Summary Table
Category Header File Common Functions

Input/Output <stdio.h> printf(), scanf()

String <string.h> strlen(), strcpy(), strcmp()

Math <math.h> sqrt(), pow(), ceil(), floor()

Character <ctype.h> isalpha(), isdigit(), toupper()

General Utilities <stdlib.h> malloc(), rand(), exit()

Time <time.h> time(), ctime()

✅ In short:
Library functions are the ready-made tools in C that make programming easier,
faster, and more reliable.