The C Programming Language

Chapter 4 Functions

Chapter 4 Functions
 4-1 Functions in C

In C, the idea of top–down design is done using

functions. A C program is made of one or more
functions, one and only one of which must be named
main.

In general, the purpose of a function is to receive zero

or more pieces of data, operate on them, and return at
most one piece of data. At the same time, a function can
have a side effect. A function side effect is an action
that results in a change in the state of the program.
2
Note
In C, a program is made of one or more
functions, one and only one of which must be
called main.

The execution of the program always starts

with main, but it can call other functions
to do some part of the job.

3
1 Overview of functions 2 Definition of function

3 Return statement 4 Function parameter

5 Function call 6 Internal / external

functions

7 Local and global variables 8 Function application

Functions in Mathematics
 Car manufacturers make cars
carriage

Engine
wheel

chassis
 Division of labor and
cooperation
A B

C D
The form of function definition
Type specifier: used to identify the return value type of a function 。 Eg:
int ,double …
Function name: "see name to know meaning, commonly used to simplify"
Parameter list: a list of various types of variables. The parameters are
separated by commas.
FIGURE 4-3 Structure Chart for a C Program
12
FIGURE 4-4 Function Concept
13
Note
A function in C can have a return value,
a side effect, or both.

The side effect occurs before the value is

returned. The function’s value is the value in
the expression of
the return statement. A function can be
called
for its value, its side effect, or both.

14
PROGRAMSample
4-1 Program with Subfunction

15
PROGRAMSample
4-1 Program with Subfunction

16
PROGRAMSample
4-1 Program with Subfunction

17
 User-Defined Functions
Like every other object in C, functions
must be both declared and defined. The
function declaration gives the whole
picture of the function that needs to be
defined later. The function definition
contains the code for a function.
Topics discussed in this section:
Basic Function Designs
Function Definition
Function Declaration
The Function Call
18
Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.2 Basics of Function

4.2 Basics of Function

General Form:
return_type function_name(formal_parameters_list)
{
declarations
statements
}
formal_parameters_list :
type var1, type var2, type var3, ..., type varn
e.g.:
int max(int x, int y) A special function
{ --null function
int z;
z = x > y ? x : y; dummy() { }
return(z);
}
PROGRAMvoid
4-2 Function with a Parameter

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PROGRAMvoid
4-2 Function with a Parameter

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PROGRAMvoid
4-2 Function with a Parameter

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FIGURE 4-7 Non-void Function without Parameters
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FIGURE 4-8 Calling a Function That Returns a Value
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PROGRAM 4-3
Read a Number and Square It

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PROGRAM 4-3
Read a Number and Square It

26
PROGRAM 4-3
Read a Number and Square It

27
PROGRAM 4-3
Read a Number and Square It

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Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.3 Function Call

#include<stdio.h>
main()
{
float add(float x, float y); /* prototype
(declaration of add) */
float a, b, c;
scanf("%f,%f", &a, &b);
c = add(a, b);
printf("sum is %f\n", c);
}
float add(float x, float y) /*definition of add*/
{
float z;
z = x + y;
return(z);
}
Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.3 Function Call

Example: Digital pyramid

1
#include<stdio.h>
2 2
int main()
{ 3 3 3
1
void pyramid(int n);
2 2
pyramid(15); 3 3 3
return 0; 4 4 4 4
} 5 5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6 6 6
void pyramid ( int n ) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
{ 1 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
22 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
int i,j; 333
for(i=1; i<=n; i++){ 4444
55555
for(j=1; j<=n-i; j++) 666666
7777777
printf(" "); 88888888
for(j=1; j<=i; j++) 999999999
aaaaaaaaaa
printf("%0x ", i); bbbbbbbbbbb
ccc cccc ccccc
printf("\n"); ddddddddddddd
} eeee ee eeee eeee
f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f
}
FIGURE 4-9 Function Definition
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FIGURE 4-10 Function Return Statements
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FIGURE 4-11 Function Local Variables
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Note
Formal and Actual Parameters
Formal parameters are variables that are
declared in the header of the function
definition.

Actual parameters are the expressions in the

calling statement.

Formal and actual parameters must match

exactly in type, order, and number.

Their names, however, do not need to match.

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FIGURE 4-12 Parts of a Function Call
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FIGURE 4-13 Examples of Function Calls
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PROGRAM 4-4
Print Least Significant Digit

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PROGRAM 4-4
Print Least Significant Digit

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PROGRAM 4-4
Print Least Significant Digit

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Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.4 Parameters and Returning Value of Function

4.4 Parameters and

Returning Value of Function
Formal Parameters & Actual Parameter
Function Definition: Formal parameter
Function Call: Actual parameter
#include <stdio.h> Formal parameter
main()
{ Actual parameter int max(int x, int y)
int a, b, c; {
int max(int x, int y); int z;
scanf("%d%,%d", &a, &b); z = x > y ? x : y;
c = max(a, b); return(z);
printf("Max is %d\n", c); }
}
Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.4 Parameters and Returning Value of Function

All function parameters are passed by value.

The called function is given the values of its
parameters in temporary variables rather than
the originals, and it cannot directly alter a
variable in the calling function.
Actual parameters can be constants,
variables, and expressions. For example,
max(3, a+b) .
Any formal parameter’s type must be defined.
Formal and actual parameters of one function
must have the same type.
Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.4 Parameters and Returning Value of Function

Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void swap(int x, int y); void swap(int x, int y)
main() {
{ int t;
int a=10, b=200; t=x;
swap(a,b); x=y;
printf(“a=%d\tb=%d\n", a,b); y=t;
} }

 what is the program’s

output result?
Chapter 4 Fuctions
4.4 Parameters and Returning Value of Function

If the type of function value doesn’t match

that of the expression value of return
statement, take the type of function.

If there is no return statement included in

the function, the value of the function is
indefinite.

void means “no return value”, or “dump

type”.
FIGURE 4-14 Design for Add Two Digits
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PROGRAM 4-5
Add Two Digits

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PROGRAM 4-5
Add Two Digits

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PROGRAM 4-5
Add Two Digits

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PROGRAM 4-5
Add Two Digits

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Exercises

P.71 4-1
P.88 4-13