Functions in C Programming

S.Karthik, Assistant Professor,

Department of Information Technology,
Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science,
Coimbatore
1
 Introduction
• C enables its programmers to break up a program into segments commonly known as functions, each of
which can be written more or less independently of the others.
• Every function in the program is supposed to perform a well-defined task. Therefore, the code of one
function is completely insulated from that of other functions.
• Every function has a name which acts as an interface to the outside world in terms of how information is
transferred to it and how results generated by the function are transmitted back from it.
• In the fig, main() calls another function, func1() to perform a well-defined task.
• main() is known as the calling function and func1() is known as the called function.
• When the compiler encounters a function call, instead of executing the next statement in the calling
function, control jumps to the statements that are a part of the called function.
• After the called function is executed, the control is returned back to the calling function.

main()
func1()
{
{
…………..
………….. Statement Block;
func1(); }
…………
………..
return 0;
}
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 Introduction (Contd.)
• It is not necessary that the main() can call only one function, it can call as many functions as it
wants and as many times as it wants. For example, a function call placed within a for loop,
while loop, or do-while loop may call the same function multiple times until the condition
holds true.

• It is not that only the main() can call another functions. Any function can call any other
function. In the figure, one function calls another, and the other function in turn calls some
other function.

main() func1() func2() func3()

{ { { {
………….. ……….. ………..
………….. ………… ………… ………..
func1(); func2(); func3();
………… ……….. ……….. …………
……….. ………. ……….
return 0; return; return; ………..
} } } ……….
return;
}

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 Why Do We Need Functions?
• Dividing the program into separate well-defined functions facilitates each function to be written and
tested separately. This simplifies the process of getting the total program to work.

• Understanding, coding, and testing multiple separate functions are far easier than doing the same for
one large function.

• If a big program has to be developed without the use of any function (except main()), then there will
be
countless lines in the main() function.

• All the libraries in C contain a set of functions that the programmers are free to use in their programs.
These functions have been prewritten and pre-tested, so the programmers use them without worrying
about their code details. This speeds up program development.

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 Terminology of Functions
• A function, f, that uses another function, g, is known as the calling function and g is known as the called
function.

• The inputs that the function takes are known as arguments.

• When a called function returns some result back to the calling function, it is said to return that result.

• The calling function may or may not pass parameters to the called function. If the called function
accepts arguments, the calling function will pass parameters, else not.

• main() is the function that is called by the operating system and, therefore, it is supposed to return the
result of its processing to the operating system.

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 Function Declaration
• Function declaration is a declaration statement that identifies a function with its name, a list of
arguments that it accepts, and the type of data it returns.

• The general format for declaring a function that accepts some arguments and returns some value as
result can be given as:
return_data_type function_name(data_type variable1, data_type variable2,…);

• No function can be declared within the body of another function.

Example, float avg (int a, int b); //Illegal

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 Function Definition

• Function definition consists of a function header that identifies the function, followed by the body of the
function containing the executable code for that function.
• When a function is defined, space is allocated for that function in the memory.
• The syntax of a function definition can be given as:

return_data_type function_name(data_type variable1, data_type variable2,...)

{

………….
statements
………….
return( variable);

}
• The number and the order
of arguments in the
function header must be
same as that given in
function © Oxford University Press 2018. All rights reserved.
 Function
Call
• The function call statement invokes the function.

• When a function is invoked, the Compiler jumps to the called function to execute the statements that
are a part of that function.

• Once the called function is executed, the program control passes back to the calling function.

• Function call statement has the following syntax:

function_name(variable1, Variable2, …);

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 Function Call (contd.)
Points to Remember while Calling the Function:
• Function name and the number and type of arguments in the function call must be same as that given in
the function declaration and function header of the function definition.
• Names (and not the types) of variables in function declaration, function call, and header of function
definition may vary.
• Arguments may be passed in the form of expressions to the called function. In such a case, arguments
are first evaluated and converted to the type of formal parameter and then the body of the function
gets executed.
• If the return type of the function is not void, then the value returned by the called function may be
assigned to some variable as given below:

Variable_name = Function_name(variable1, Variable2, …);

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 Program that uses Function
#include<stdio.h>
int sum(int a, int b); // FUNCTION DECLARATION
int main()
{
int num1, num2, total = 0;
printf(“\n Enter the first number : “);
scanf(“%d”, &num1);
printf(“\n Enter the second number :
“);
scanf(“%d”, &num2); // FUNCTION CALL
total = sum(num1, num2);
printf(“\n Total = %d”, total);
return 0;
}
// FUNCTION DEFNITION
int sum ( int a, int b) // FUNCTION HEADER
{ // FUNCTION BODY
return (a + b);
}
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 Return Statement

• The return statement is used to terminate the execution of a function and return control to the calling
function. When the return statement is encountered, the program execution resumes in the calling
function at the point immediately following the function call.
• Programming Tip: It is an error to use a return statement in a function that has void as its return type.
• A return statement may or may not return a value to the calling function. The syntax of return statement
can be given as

return <expression> ;
• The value of expression, if present, is returned to the calling function. However, in case expression is
omitted, the return value of the function is undefined.
• By default, the return type of a function is int.
• For functions that have no return statement, the control automatically returns to the calling function
after the last statement of the called function is executed.

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 Passing Parameters to the Function

• There are two ways in which arguments or parameters can be passed to the called function.
 Call by value in which values of the variables are passed by the calling function to the called function.

 Call by reference in which address of the variables are passed by the calling function to the called

function.

Passing parameters to
function

Call by value Call by

reference

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 Call by
Value
• In the Call by Value method, the called function creates new variables to store the value of the arguments passed to it.
Therefore, the called function uses a copy of the actual arguments to perform its intended task.
• If the called function is supposed to modify the value of the parameters passed to it, then the change will be reflected
only in the called function. In the calling function no change will be made to the value of the variables.
#include<stdio.h>
void add( int n);
int main()
{
int num =
2;
printf("\n
The
value of
num
before
calling
the
function
= %d",
num);
add(num)
;
printf("\n The value of num after calling the function = %d", num);
return 0;
 Call by Reference
• When the calling function passes arguments to the called function using call by value method, the only
way to return the modified value of the argument to the caller is explicitly using the return statement. A
better option when a function can modify the value of the argument is to pass arguments using Call by
Reference technique.

• In call by reference, we declare the function parameters as references rather than normal
variables. When this is done, any changes made by the function to the arguments it received are
visible in the calling function.

• To indicate that an argument is passed using call by reference, an asterisk symbol (*) is placed after the
type in the parameter list. This way, changes made to that parameter in the called function body will
then be reflected in its value in the calling function.

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 Program Illustrating Call by Reference
Technique
#include<stdio.h>
void add( int *n);
int main()
{
int
num =
2;
printf("\n The value of num before calling the function = %d", num);
add(num);
printf("\n The value of num after calling the function = %d", num);
return 0;
}
void add( int *n)
{
n = n + 10;
printf("\n The value of num in the called function = %d", n);
}
The output of this program is:
The value of num before calling the function = 2
The value of num in the called function = 12
The value of num after calling the function = 12
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 Scope of Variables

• In C, all constants and variables have a defined scope.

• By scope we mean the accessibility and visibility of the variables at different points in the program.
• A variable or a constant in C has four types of scope: block, function, file, and program scope.

Variable
Scope

Block scope Function File scope Program

scope scope

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 Block
Scope
• A statement block is a group of statements enclosed within an opening and closing curly brackets ({ }).
• If a variable is declared within a statement block, then as soon as the control exits that block, the variable will cease to
exist.
• Such a variable also known as a local variable is said to have a block scope.
void main()
{ int x = 10, i=0;
printf("\n The value of x outside the while loop is %d", x);
while (i<2)
{ int x = i;
printf("\n The value of x inside the while loop is %d", x);
i++;
}
printf("\n The value of x outside the while loop is %d", x);
}
Output:
The value of x outside the while loop is 10
The value of x inside the while loop is 0
The value of x inside the while loop is 1
The value of x outside the while loop is 10
©
 Function Scope

• Function scope is applicable only with goto label names. That is the programmer cannot have the same
label name inside a function.

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 Program Scope
• If you want that functions should be able to access some variables which are not passed to them as
arguments, then declare those variables outside any function block.
• Such variables are commonly known as global variables. Hence, global variables are those variables
that
can be accessed from any point in the program.
#include<stdio.h>
int x = 10;
void print();
int main()
{
printf("\n
The value
of x in
main() =
%d", x);
int x =
2;
printf("\n The value of local variable x in main() = %d", x);
print();
}
void print()
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{ printf("\n The value of x in print() = %d", x);
 File Scope
• When a global variable is accessible until the end of the file, the variable is said to have file scope.

• To allow a variable to have file scope, declare that variable with the static keyword before specifying its
data type:

static int x = 10;

• A global static variable can be used anywhere from the file in which it is declared but it is not accessible
by any other file.

• Such variables are useful when a programmer writes his or her own header files.

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 Storage Classes

• The storage class of a variable defines the scope (visibility) and lifetime of variables and/or functions
declared within a C Program.
• In addition to this, the storage class gives the following information about the variable or the
function.
 It is used to determine the part of memory where storage space will be allocated for that variable or
function (whether the variable/function will be stored in a register or in RAM).
 It specifies how long the storage allocation will continue to exist for that function or variable.

 It specifies the scope of the variable or function. That is, the part of the C program in which the variable
name is visible or accessible.
 It specifies whether the variable or function has internal, external, or no linkage.

 It specifies whether the variable will be automatically initialized to zero or to any indeterminate value.

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 STORAGE CLASS
FEATURE
Auto Extern Register Static

Local:
Accessible within the
Accessible within
Accessible within the all program files Accessible within the function or block in
Accessibility function or block in which that are a part of function or block in which it is declared
it is declared which it is declared Global: Accessible
the program within the program in
which it is declared

Storage Main Memory Main Memory CPU Register Main Memory

Exists when the

Exists when the function function or block in
or block in which it is which it is declared is Local: Retains
declared is entered. Exists throughout entered. Ceases to value between
Existence Ceases to exist when the the execution of exist when the control function calls or block
control returns from the the program returns from the entries Global:
function or the block in function or the block in Preserves value in
which it was declared which it was declared program files

Default value Garbage Zero Garbage Zero

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 Recursive Functions
• A recursive function is a function that calls itself to solve a smaller version of its task until a final call is
made which does not require a call to itself.
• Every recursive solution has two major cases, they are
 base case, in which the problem is simple enough to be solved directly without making any further calls
to the same function
 recursive case, in which first the problem at hand is divided into simpler sub-parts. Second the function
calls itself but with sub-parts of the problem obtained in the first step. Third, the result is obtained by
combining the solutions of simpler sub-parts.
• Therefore, recursion is defining large and complex problems in terms of a smaller and more easily
solvable problem.
• In recursive functions, complicated problem is defined in terms of simpler problems and the
simplest
problem is given explicitly.

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 Finding Factorial of a Number using Recursion
PROBLEM SOLUTION
5! 5 X 4 X 3 X 2 X 1!
= 5 X 4! = 5 X 4 X 3 X 2 X 1
= 5 X 4 X 3! = 5 X 4 X 3 X 2
= 5 X 4 X 3 X 2! = 5 X 4 X 6
= 5 X 4 X 3 X 2 X 1! = 5 X 24
= 120

Base case is when n=1, because when n = 1, the result is known to be 1

Recursive case of the factorial function will call itself but with a smaller value of n, this case can be given as
factorial(n) = n  factorial (n-1)
#include<stdio.h>
int Fact(int)
{ if(n==1)
return 1;
else
return (n * Fact(n-1));
}
main()
{ int num, factorial;
scanf(“%d”, &num);
factorial=Fact(num);
printf(“\n Factorial
of %d =0;%d”, num,
return © Oxford University Press 2018. All rights reserved.
factorial);
}
 Types of Recursion

• Any recursive function can be characterized based on:

 whether the function calls itself directly or indirectly (direct or indirect recursion)

 whether any operation is pending at each recursive call (tail-recursive or not)

 the structure of the calling pattern (linear or tree-recursive)

Recursion

Direct Indirect Linear Tree Tail

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 Direct Recursion

• A function is said to be directly recursive if it explicitly calls itself.

• For example, consider the function given below.

int Func( int n)

{
if(n==0)
return n;
else
return (Func(n-1));
}

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 Indirect Recursion

• A function is said to be indirectly recursive if it contains a call to another function which ultimately calls
it. Look at the functions given below.

• These two functions are indirectly recursive as they both call each other.

int Func1(int n) int Func2(int x)

{ {
if(n==0) return Func1(x-1);
return n; }
else
return
Func2(n);
}

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 Tail Recursion

• A recursive function is said to be tail recursive if no operations are pending to be performed when the
recursive function returns to its caller.
• That is, when the called function returns, the returned value is immediately returned from the calling
function.
• Tail recursive functions are highly desirable because they are much more efficient to use as in their
case, the amount of information that has to be stored on the system stack is independent of the
number of recursive calls.

int Fact(n) int Fact1(int n, int res)

{ {
return Fact1(n, 1); if (n==1)
} return res;
else
return
Fact1(n-1,
n*res);
}

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 Linear and Tree Recursion

• Recursive functions can also be characterized depending on whether recursion grows in a linear fashion
or forms a tree structure.

• In simple words, a recursive function is said to be linearly recursive when no pending operation involves
another recursive call to the function. For example, the factorial function is linearly recursive as the
pending operation involves only multiplication to be performed and does not involve another call to
Fact.

• On the contrary, a recursive function is said to be tree recursive (or non-linearly recursive) if the pending
operation makes another recursive call to the function. For example, the Fibonacci function (Fib) in
which the pending operations recursively call the Fib function.

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 Pros and Cons of Recursion

• Pros: Recursive solutions often tend to be shorter and simpler than non-recursive ones.
 Code is clearer and easier to use.

 Recursion represents like the original formula to solve a problem.

 Follows a divide-and-conquer technique to solve problems.

 In some (limited) instances, recursion may be more efficient.

• Cons: For some programmers and readers, recursion is a difficult concept.

 Recursion is implemented using system stack. If the stack space on the system is limited, recursion to a
deeper level will be difficult to implement.
 Aborting a recursive process in midstream is slow.

 Using a recursive function takes more memory and time to execute as compared to its non-recursive
counterpart.
 It is difficult to find bugs, particularly when using global variables.

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 Tower of
•
Hanoi
Tower of Hanoi is one of the main applications of a recursion. It says, "if you can solve n-1 cases, then
you can easily solve the nth case?"

A B C
A B C

If there is only one ring, then simply move the ring from source to the destination

A B C
A B C A B C

If there are two rings, then first move ring 1 to the spare pole and then
move ring 2 from source to the destination. Finally move ring 1 from the
source to the destination
A B C © Oxford University Press 2018. All rights reserved.
 •

A B C
A B C
A B C

A B C A B C
A B C

A B C A B C

Consider the working with three rings.

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