Chapter 5 - Functions

Outline
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Program Modules in C
5.3 Math Library Functions
5.4 Functions
5.5 Function Definitions
5.6 Function Prototypes
5.7 Header Files
5.8 Calling Functions: Call by Value and Call by Reference
5.9 Random Number Generation
5.10 Example: A Game of Chance
5.11 Storage Classes
5.12 Scope Rules
5.13 Recursion
5.14 Example Using Recursion: The Fibonacci Series
5.15 Recursion vs. Iteration
5.1 Introduction
Divide and conquer
Construct a program from smaller pieces or components
These smaller pieces are called modules
Each piece more manageable than the original program
5.2 Program Modules in C
Functions
Modules in C
Programs combine user-defined functions with library functions
C standard library has a wide variety of functions
Function calls
Invoking functions
Provide function name and arguments (data)
Function performs operations or manipulations
Function returns results
Function call analogy:
Boss asks worker to complete task
Worker gets information, does task, returns result
Information hiding: boss does not know details
5.3 Math Library Functions
Math library functions
perform common mathematical calculations
#include <math.h>
Format for calling functions
FunctionName( argument );
If multiple arguments, use comma-separated list
printf( "%.2f", sqrt( 900.0 ) );
Calls function sqrt, which returns the square root of its
argument
All math functions return data type double
Arguments may be constants, variables, or expressions

5.4 Functions
Functions
Modularize a program
All variables declared inside functions are local variables
Known only in function defined
Parameters
Communicate information between functions
Local variables
Benefits of functions
Divide and conquer
Manageable program development
Software reusability
Use existing functions as building blocks for new programs
Abstraction - hide internal details (library functions)
Avoid code repetition
5.5 Function Definitions
Function definition format
return-value-type function-name( parameter-list )
{
declarations and statements
}
Function-name: any valid identifier
Return-value-type: data type of the result (default int)
void indicates that the function returns nothing
Parameter-list: comma separated list, declares parameters
A type must be listed explicitly for each parameter unless, the
parameter is of type int
5.5 Function Definitions
Function definition format (continued)
return-value-type function-name( parameter-list )
{
declarations and statements
}
Declarations and statements: function body (block)
Variables can be declared inside blocks (can be nested)
Functions can not be defined inside other functions
Returning control
If nothing returned
return;
or, until reaches right brace
If something returned
return expression;

1 /* Fig. 5.4: fig05_04.c

2 Finding the maximum of three integers */

3 #include <stdio.h>

4

5 int maximum( int, int, int ); /* function prototype */

6

7 int main()

8 {

9 int a, b, c;

10

11 printf( "Enter three integers: " );

12 scanf( "%d%d%d", &a, &b, &c );

13 printf( "Maximum is: %d\n", maximum( a, b, c ) );

14

15 return 0;

16 }

17

18 /* Function maximum definition */

19 int maximum( int x, int y, int z )

20 {

21 int max = x;

22

23 if ( y > max )

24 max = y;

25

26 if ( z > max )

27 max = z;

28

29 return max;

30 }

Enter three integers: 22 85 17
Maximum is: 85
5.6 Function Prototypes
Function prototype
Function name
Parameters what the function takes in
Return type data type function returns (default int)
Used to validate functions
Prototype only needed if function definition comes after use
in program
The function with the prototype
int maximum( int, int, int );
Takes in 3 ints
Returns an int
Promotion rules and conversions
Converting to lower types can lead to errors
5.7 Header Files
Header files
Contain function prototypes for library functions
<stdlib.h> , <math.h> , etc
Load with #include <filename>
#include <math.h>
Custom header files
Create file with functions
Save as filename.h
Load in other files with #include "filename.h"
Reuse functions
5.8 Calling Functions: Call by Value and
Call by Reference
Used when invoking functions
Call by value
Copy of argument passed to function
Changes in function do not effect original
Use when function does not need to modify argument
Avoids accidental changes
Call by reference
Passes original argument
Changes in function effect original
Only used with trusted functions
For now, we focus on call by value
5.9 Random Number Generation
rand function
Load <stdlib.h>
Returns "random" number between 0 and RAND_MAX (at
least 32767)
i = rand();
Pseudorandom
Preset sequence of "random" numbers
Same sequence for every function call
Scaling
To get a random number between 1 and n
1 + ( rand() % n )
rand() % n returns a number between 0 and n - 1
Add 1 to make random number between 1 and n
1 + ( rand() % 6)
number between 1 and 6
5.9 Random Number Generation
srand function
<stdlib.h>
Takes an integer seed and jumps to that location in its
"random" sequence
srand( seed );
srand( time( NULL ) ); //load <time.h>
time( NULL )
Returns the time at which the program was compiled in
seconds
Randomizes" the seed

1 /* Fig. 5.9: fig05_09.c

2 Randomizing die-rolling program */

3 #include <stdlib.h>

4 #include <stdio.h>

5

6 int main()

7 {

8 int i;

9 unsigned seed;

10

11 printf( "Enter seed: " );

12 scanf( "%u", &seed );

13 srand( seed );

14

15 for ( i = 1; i <= 10; i++ ) {

16 printf( "%10d", 1 + ( rand() % 6 ) );

17

18 if ( i % 5 == 0 )

19 printf( "\n" );

20 }

21

22 return 0;

23 }

Program Output
Enter seed: 867
2 4 6 1 6
1 1 3 6 2

Enter seed: 67
6 1 4 6 2
1 6 1 6 4

Enter seed: 67
6 1 4 6 2
1 6 1 6 4
5.10 Example: A Game of Chance
Craps simulator
Rules
Roll two dice
7 or 11 on first throw, player wins
2, 3, or 12 on first throw, player loses
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 - value becomes player's "point"
Player must roll his point before rolling 7 to win
1 /* Fig. 5.10: fig05_10.c

2 Craps */

3 #include <stdio.h>

4 #include <stdlib.h>

5 #include <time.h>

6

7 int rollDice( void );

8

9 int main()

10 {

11 int gameStatus, sum, myPoint;

12

13 srand( time( NULL ) );

14 sum = rollDice(); /* first roll of the dice */

15

16 switch ( sum ) {

17 case 7: case 11: /* win on first roll */

18 gameStatus = 1;

19 break;

20 case 2: case 3: case 12: /* lose on first roll */

21 gameStatus = 2;

22 break;

23 default: /* remember point */

24 gameStatus = 0;

25 myPoint = sum;

26 printf( "Point is %d\n", myPoint );

27 break;

28 }

29

30 while ( gameStatus == 0 ) { /* keep rolling */

31 sum = rollDice();

32

33 if ( sum == myPoint ) /* win by making point */

34 gameStatus = 1;

35 else

36 if ( sum == 7 ) /* lose by rolling 7 */

37 gameStatus = 2;

38 }

39

40 if ( gameStatus == 1 )

41 printf( "Player wins\n" );

42 else

43 printf( "Player loses\n" );

44

45 return 0;

46 }

47

48 int rollDice( void )

49 {

50 int die1, die2, workSum;

51

52 die1 = 1 + ( rand() % 6 );

53 die2 = 1 + ( rand() % 6 );

54 workSum = die1 + die2;

55 printf( "Player rolled %d + %d = %d\n", die1, die2, workSum );

56 return workSum;

57 }

Player rolled 6 + 5 = 11
Player wins

Program Output
Player rolled 6 + 6 = 12
Player loses
Player rolled 4 + 6 = 10
Point is 10
Player rolled 2 + 4 = 6
Player rolled 6 + 5 = 11
Player rolled 3 + 3 = 6
Player rolled 6 + 4 = 10
Player wins
Player rolled 1 + 3 = 4
Point is 4
Player rolled 1 + 4 = 5
Player rolled 5 + 4 = 9
Player rolled 4 + 6 = 10
Player rolled 6 + 3 = 9
Player rolled 1 + 2 = 3
Player rolled 5 + 2 = 7
Player loses
5.11 Storage Classes
Storage class specifiers
Storage duration how long an object exists in memory
Scope where object can be referenced in program
Linkage specifies the files in which an identifier is known
(more in Chapter 14)
Automatic storage
Object created and destroyed within its block
auto: default for local variables
auto double x, y;
register: tries to put variable into high-speed registers
Can only be used for automatic variables
register int counter = 1;
5.11 Storage Classes
Static storage
Variables exist for entire program execution
Default value of zero
static: local variables defined in functions.
Keep value after function ends
Only known in their own function
extern: default for global variables and functions
Known in any function

5.12 Scope Rules
File scope
Identifier defined outside function, known in all functions
Used for global variables, function definitions, function
prototypes
Function scope
Can only be referenced inside a function body
Used only for labels (start:, case: , etc.)
5.12 Scope Rules
Block scope
Identifier declared inside a block
Block scope begins at declaration, ends at right brace
Used for variables, function parameters (local variables of
function)
Outer blocks "hidden" from inner blocks if there is a variable
with the same name in the inner block
Function prototype scope
Used for identifiers in parameter list
1 /* Fig. 5.12: fig05_12.c

2 A scoping example */

3 #include <stdio.h>

4

5 void a( void ); /* function prototype */

6 void b( void ); /* function prototype */

7 void c( void ); /* function prototype */

8

9 int x = 1; /* global variable */

10

11 int main()

12 {

13 int x = 5; /* local variable to main */

14

15 printf("local x in outer scope of main is %d\n", x );

16

17 { /* start new scope */

18 int x = 7;

19

20 printf( "local x in inner scope of main is %d\n", x );

21 } /* end new scope */

22

23 printf( "local x in outer scope of main is %d\n", x );

24

25 a(); /* a has automatic local x */

26 b(); /* b has static local x */

27 c(); /* c uses global x */

28 a(); /* a reinitializes automatic local x */

29 b(); /* static local x retains its previous value */

30 c(); /* global x also retains its value */

31

32 printf( "local x in main is %d\n", x );

33 return 0;

34 }

35

36 void a( void )

37 {

38 int x = 25; /* initialized each time a is called */

39

40 printf( "\nlocal x in a is %d after entering a\n", x );

41 ++x;

42 printf( "local x in a is %d before exiting a\n", x );

43 }

44

45 void b( void )

46 {

47 static int x = 50; /* static initialization only */

48 /* first time b is called */

49 printf( "\nlocal static x is %d on entering b\n", x );

50 ++x;

51 printf( "local static x is %d on exiting b\n", x );

52 }

53

54 void c( void )

55 {

56 printf( "\nglobal x is %d on entering c\n", x );

57 x *= 10;

58 printf( "global x is %d on exiting c\n", x );

59 }

Program Output


local x in outer scope of main is 5
local x in inner scope of main is 7
local x in outer scope of main is 5

local x in a is 25 after entering a
local x in a is 26 before exiting a

local static x is 50 on entering b
local static x is 51 on exiting b

global x is 1 on entering c
global x is 10 on exiting c

local x in a is 25 after entering a
local x in a is 26 before exiting a

local static x is 51 on entering b
local static x is 52 on exiting b

global x is 10 on entering c
global x is 100 on exiting c
local x in main is 5

5.13 Recursion
Recursive functions
Functions that call themselves
Can only solve a base case
Divide a problem up into
What it can do
What it cannot do
What it cannot do resembles original problem
The function launches a new copy of itself (recursion step)
to solve what it cannot do
Eventually base case gets solved
Gets plugged in, works its way up and solves whole problem
5.13 Recursion
Example: factorials
5! = 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1
Notice that
5! = 5 * 4!
4! = 4 * 3! ...
Can compute factorials recursively
Solve base case (1! = 0! = 1) then plug in
2! = 2 * 1! = 2 * 1 = 2;
3! = 3 * 2! = 3 * 2 = 6;


5.14 Example Using Recursion: The
Fibonacci Series
Fibonacci series: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...
Each number is the sum of the previous two
Can be solved recursively:
fib( n ) = fib( n - 1 ) + fib( n 2 )
Code for the fibaonacci function
long fibonacci( long n )
{
if (n == 0 || n == 1) // base case
return n;
else
return fibonacci( n - 1) +
fibonacci( n 2 );
}




5.14 Example Using Recursion: The
Fibonacci Series
Set of recursive calls to function fibonacci
f( 3 )

f( 1 )

f( 2 )

f( 1 )

f( 0 )

return 1

return 1

return 0

return

+

+

return





1 /* Fig. 5.15: fig05_15.c

2 Recursive fibonacci function */

3 #include <stdio.h>

4

5 long fibonacci( long );

6

7 int main()

8 {

9 long result, number;

10

11 printf( "Enter an integer: " );

12 scanf( "%ld", &number );

13 result = fibonacci( number );

14 printf( "Fibonacci( %ld ) = %ld\n", number, result );

15 return 0;

16 }

17

18 /* Recursive definition of function fibonacci */

19 long fibonacci( long n )

20 {

21 if ( n == 0 || n == 1 )

22 return n;

23 else

24 return fibonacci( n - 1 ) + fibonacci( n - 2 );

25 }

Enter an integer: 0
Fibonacci(0) = 0

Enter an integer: 1
Fibonacci(1) = 1
Program Output
Enter an integer: 2
Fibonacci(2) = 1

Enter an integer: 3
Fibonacci(3) = 2

Enter an integer: 4
Fibonacci(4) = 3

Enter an integer: 5
Fibonacci(5) = 5

Enter an integer: 6
Fibonacci(6) = 8

Enter an integer: 10
Fibonacci(10) = 55

Enter an integer: 20
Fibonacci(20) = 6765

Enter an integer: 30
Fibonacci(30) = 832040

Enter an integer: 35
Fibonacci(35) = 9227465

5.15 Recursion vs. Iteration
Repetition
Iteration: explicit loop
Recursion: repeated function calls
Termination
Iteration: loop condition fails
Recursion: base case recognized
Both can have infinite loops
Balance
Choice between performance (iteration) and good software
engineering (recursion)