ENGR 102
Fall 2020
Even More on Functions
Functions
Every C program must have a function
called main ( )
Program execution always begins with
function main ( )
Any other functions are subprograms
and must be called.
Function Calls
One function calls another by using the
name of the called function next to ( )
enclosing a parameter list.
A function call temporarily transfers control
from the calling function to the called
function.
Two Parts of Function Definition
int Cube ( int n ) heading
{
body
return n * n * n ;
}
What is in a heading?
type of value name
returned of parameter list
functio
n
int Cube ( int n )
What is in a prototype?
A prototype looks like a heading
but must end with a semicolon;
and its parameter list just needs
to contain the type of each
parameter.
int Cube ( int ); //
prototype
When a function is called,
Temporary memory is set up ( for its value
parameters and any local variables, and also for
the function’s name if the return type is not void).
Then the flow of control passes to the first statement
in the function’s body. The called function’s body
statements are executed until one of these occurs:
return statement (with or without a return value),
or,
closing brace of function body.
Then control goes back to where the function was
called.
#include <stdio.h>
int Cube ( int ) ; //prototype
int main ( )
{
int YourNumber ; actual parameters
int MyNumber ;
YourNumber = 14 ;
MyNumber = 9 ;
printf(“\nMy Number = %d \n“,MyNumber);
printf(“its cube is %d \n“,Cube (MyNumber));
printf(“Your Number = %d \n”“ << YourNumber ;
cout << “its cube is %d \n”,Cube (YourNumber));
return 0;
}
To compile successfully,
Beforea function is called in your
program, the compiler must
previously process either the
function’s prototype, or the
function’s definition (heading and
body).
A C Function
Can return in its identifier at most 1
value of the type which was
specified (called the return type) in
its heading and prototype.
But, a void-function cannot return
any value in its identifier.
Write a void Function
called DisplayMessage ( ) which you can call
from main ( ) to describe the pollution
index value it receives as a parameter.
Your city describes a pollution Index
less than 35 as “Pleasant”,
35 through 60 as “Unpleasant”,
and above 60 as “Health Hazard.”
formal parameter
void DisplayMessage(int Index)
{
if(Index < 35)
printf(”\nPleasant \n”);
else if(Index <= 60)
printf(“Unpleasant \n”);
else
printf(“Health Hazard \n”;
}
THE REST OF THE PROGRAM
#include <stdio.h>
void DisplayMessage (int); //prototype
int main() actual parameter
{
int PollutionIndex;
printf(“\nEnter air pollution index:\
t”);
scanf(“%d”,&PollutionIndex);
DisplayMessage(PollutionIndex); //call
return 0;
}
return ;
is valid only in the body block of void
functions
causes control to leave the function
and immediately return to the calling
block leaving any subsequent
statements in the function body
unexecuted.
Header Files Contain
named constants like
const int INT_MAX = 32767;
new type definitions (besides int, char, etc.)
function prototypes like
float pow( float, float );
float sqrt( float );
char toupper( char
); int
islower( char );
Program With Several
Functions
function prototypes
main( ) function definition
Square( ) function definition
Cube( ) function definition
Value-Returning Functions
#include <stdio.h>
int Square (int) ; // prototypes
int Cube (int) ;
int main ( )
{
// function call
printf(“\nThe square of 27 is %d :\n”,Square (27));
// function call
printf(“The cube of 27 is %d :\n”,Cube (27));
return 0;
}
Rest of Program
int Square (int n) // function prototype and body
{
return(n*n);
}
int Cube (int n) // function prototype and body
{
return (n*n*n);
}
A void function call stands alone
#include <stdio.h>
void DisplayMessage ( int ) ; //
prototype
int main ()
{
DisplayMessage(15); // function
call
printf(“\nGood Bye \n“);
return 0;
}
A void Function Does NOT
Return a Value
void DisplayMessage ( int n )
{
printf(“\n I have liked math for %d years \n”,years);
}
Parameter List
is the means used for a function to share
information with the block containing the call.
Parameters are classified by
their location
Actual Parameters Formal Parameters
Always appear in Always appear in
a function call the function
within the calling heading, or
block. function prototype.
Some C Textbook Terminology
Use the term “arguments” for actual
parameters
Those books then refer to formal parameters
as just “parameters”
Questions
What is a function used for?
To do a task and cut down on the amount
of detail in your main program.
Can one function call another function?
Yes
Can a function even call itself?
Yes, that is called recursion. It is very
useful and requires special care in writing.
More Questions
Does it make any difference what names you
use for formal parameters?
NO. Just use them in function body.
Do formal parameter names and actual
parameter names have to be the same?
NO.
What is the advantage of that? It seems
confusing.
Functions Are Written To
Specifications
The specifications state the return type, the
parameter types, whether any parameters
are “outgoing,” and what task the function is to
perform with its parameters.
The advantage is that teamwork can occur
without knowing what the actual parameter
names will be.
