5/24/2023

Introduction
• Most computer programs that solve
real-world problems are much larger

C Functions than the programs presented earlier.

• Experience has shown that the best way
to develop and maintain a large
program is to construct it from smaller
pieces or modules, each of which is
more manageable than the original
program.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 1 © G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 2

Introduction cont… Introduction cont…

• This technique is called divide and conquer.
• This technique of the C language facilitates
the design, implementation, operation, and
maintenance of large programs.
• Modules in C are called functions.
• C programs are typically written by
combining new functions you write with
built-in functions available in the C Standard
Library.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 3
• Function is a block of code that
performs a specific task.
• C Standard Library provides built-in
functions.
• You can write functions to define
specific tasks that may be used at
many points in a program, called
programmer-defined functions.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 4

Function prototype Function prototype cont…

• Function prototype refers to function
declaration.
• It contains the function’s signature.
• It tells the compiler what the function
will return, what function will be called,
as well as what arguments of the
function can be passed.
• When it is said that the function
returns a value, it means that the
function can be used in the same
manner as a variable would be.
• For example, a variable can be set
equal to a function that returns any
value.
• E.g., int sum = add(a,b);

© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 5 © G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 6

1

Function prototype cont…
Syntax of the C function prototype:
• return-type function_name (
param_type1 param1, param_type2
param2, ... , param_typeN paramN );
• Each parameter should be written
separately even if there are some of
the same data type.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 7
Function definition cont…
• When the programmer actually defines
the function, it will begin with the
prototype, minus the semi-colon.
• Then there should always be a block
(surrounded by curly braces {}) with
the code that the function is to
execute, just as you would write it for
the main function.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 9
Function definition cont…
• param_type just means the type for
each parameter – for instance, an int.
• There can be more than one
parameter passed to a function or
none (empty parentheses) at all, and it
does not have to return a value.
• Functions that do not return values
have a return type of void.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 11
5/24/2023
Function definition
• The tasks that a particular function is
expected to perform are implemented
in function definition.
• The actual statements defining the
function are written only once, and the
statements are hidden from other
functions.
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 8
Function definition cont…
Syntax of function definition:
• return-type function_name (
param_type1 param1, param_type2
param2, ... , param_typeN paramN ){
//local variable declarations
//statements
//return expression if any
}
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 10
Function calling
• Functions are invoked by a function call
• A function call specifies the function name
and provides information (as arguments)
that the function needs to perform its
designated task.
• Syntax for function call:
function_name ( argument1, argument2, ... ,
argumentN );
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 12
2
 5/24/2023

Example Example cont…

/*program demonstrates function
printf( "Please input the second
prototype, definition and call*/
number: " );
#include <stdio.h>
scanf( "%d", &y );//function call
//function prototype
int mult ( int x, int y ); printf( "The product of your two
int main() {
numbers is %d\n", mult( x, y ) );
int x,y; return 0;
printf( "Please input the first number: }
" );
scanf( "%d", &x );
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 13 © G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 14

Advantages of using functions

Example cont… in programs
//function definition • Testing and correcting errors is easy
int mult (int x, int y) { because errors are localized and
corrected.
//local variable
• We can understand the flow of
int product=x*y; program, and its code easily since the
return product; readability is enhanced while using the
functions
}
© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 15 © G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 16

Advantages of using functions Advantages of using functions

in programs cont…
• The divide-and-conquer approach
makes program development more
manageable.
• Another motivation is software
reusability – using existing functions as
building blocks to create new
programs.
in programs cont…
• Avoid repeating code in a program.
• Packaging code as a function allows
the code to be executed from other
locations in a program simply by calling
the function.

© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 17 © G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 18

3
 5/24/2023

Thank you for listening!

© G.Y.Namani C Functions Slide 19