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C++ Functions
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A function is a group of statements that together perform a task. Every C++ program has
at least one function, which is main(), and all the most trivial programs can define
additional functions.
You can divide up your code into separate functions. How you divide up your code among
different functions is up to you, but logically the division usually is such that each function
performs a specific task.
A function declaration tells the compiler about a function's name, return type, and
parameters. A function definition provides the actual body of the function.
The C++ standard library provides numerous built-in functions that your program can call.
For example, function strcat() to concatenate two strings, function memcpy() to copy
one memory location to another location and many more functions.
A function is known with various names like a method or a sub-routine or a procedure etc.
Defining a Function
The general form of a C++ function definition is as follows −
return_type function_name( parameter list ) {
body of the function
}
A C++ function definition consists of a function header and a function body. Here are all
the parts of a function −
Return Type − A function may return a value. The return_type is the data type
of the value the function returns. Some functions perform the desired operations
without returning a value. In this case, the return_type is the keyword void.
Function Name − This is the actual name of the function. The function name and
the parameter list together constitute the function signature.
Parameters − A parameter is like a placeholder. When a function is invoked, you
pass a value to the parameter. This value is referred to as actual parameter or
argument. The parameter list refers to the type, order, and number of the
parameters of a function. Parameters are optional; that is, a function may contain
no parameters.
Function Body − The function body contains a collection of statements that define
what the function does.
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Example
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Following is the source code for a function sure
called it comes
max(). from
This safe sites.
function takes two
parameters num1 and num2 and return the biggest of both −
// function returning the max between two numbers
int max(int num1, int num2) {
// local variable declaration
int result;
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
result = num2;
return result;
}
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Function Declarations
A function declaration tells the compiler about a function name and how to call the
function. The actual body of the function can be defined separately.
A function declaration has the following parts −
return_type function_name( parameter list );
For the above defined function max(), following is the function declaration −
int max(int num1, int num2);
Parameter names are not important in function declaration only their type is required, so
following is also valid declaration −
int max(int, int);
Function declaration is required
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Calling a Function
While creating a C++ function, you give a definition of what the function has to do. To use
a function, you will have to call or invoke that function.
When a program calls a function, program control is transferred to the called function. A
called function performs defined task and when it’s return statement is executed or when
its function-ending closing brace is reached, it returns program control back to the main
program.
To call a function, you simply need to pass the required parameters along with function
name, and if function returns a value, then you can store returned value. For example −
Open Compiler
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// function declaration
int max(int num1, int num2);
int main () {
// local variable declaration:
int a = 100;
int b = 200;
int ret;
// calling a function to get max value.
ret = max(a, b);
cout << "Max value is : " << ret << endl;
return 0;
}
// function returning the max between two numbers
int max(int num1, int num2) {
// local variable declaration
int result;
if (num1 > num2) We tested this page and blocked content coming from
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result = num2;
return result;
}
I kept max() function along with main() function and compiled the source code. While
running final executable, it would produce the following result −
Max value is : 200
Function Arguments
If a function is to use arguments, it must declare variables that accept the values of the
arguments. These variables are called the formal parameters of the function.
The formal parameters behave like other local variables inside the function and are created
upon entry into the function and destroyed upon exit.
While calling a function, there are two ways that arguments can be passed to a function −
Sr.No Call Type & Description
Call by Value
This method copies the actual value of an argument into the formal parameter
1
of the function. In this case, changes made to the parameter inside the function
have no effect on the argument.
Call by Pointer
This method copies the address of an argument into the formal parameter.
2
Inside the function, the address is used to access the actual argument used in
the call. This means that changes made to the parameter affect the argument.
Call by Reference
This method copies the reference of an argument into the formal parameter.
3
Inside the function, the reference is used to access the actual argument used in
the call. This means that changes made to the parameter affect the argument.
By default, C++ uses call by value to pass arguments. In general, this means that code
within a function cannot alter the arguments used to call the function and above
mentioned example while calling max() function used the same method.
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Default Values for Parameters
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When you define a function, you can if you're
specify sure it comes
a default value from safeof
for each sites.
the last
parameters. This value will be used if the corresponding argument is left blank when
calling to the function.
This is done by using the assignment operator and assigning values for the arguments in
the function definition. If a value for that parameter is not passed when the function is
called, the default given value is used, but if a value is specified, this default value is
ignored and the passed value is used instead. Consider the following example −
Open Compiler
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int sum(int a, int b = 20) {
int result;
result = a + b;
return (result);
}
int main () {
// local variable declaration:
int a = 100;
int b = 200;
int result;
// calling a function to add the values.
result = sum(a, b);
cout << "Total value is :" << result << endl;
// calling a function again as follows.
result = sum(a);
cout << "Total value is :" << result << endl;
return 0;
}
When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result −
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Total value is :300
potentially dangerous or risky sites. Allow this content
Total value is :120 only if you're sure it comes from safe sites.
