5.

1: Functions

Knowledge
Understanding of the modular design using function

Skills
Writing programs using user-defined functions and
library functions
1
Functions
 Functions are the building blocks of any C
program.
 Each function is usually designed to do one
task, because a shorter and highly focused
function would be easier to program and
debug.
 When a function is called, program control is
transferred to that function to perfom its
spesific job, and when finished, control is
tranfered back to the calling function.

DEC20012 –Programming Fundamental 2

Functions
 Types of functions :
 Predefined Function
 User-defined Function
 An approach used to handle complexity in solving
problems based on the “divide and conquer” strategy
 A larger problem (more complex) is broken up into
smaller problems (less complex)
 The solution to the problem (a module) consists of a
combination of solutions for the smaller problems (sub-
modules)
 Each sub-module also has its own input(s) and output(s)

DEC20012 –Programming Fundamental 3

The Use of Functions
 Dividing a large program into Functions improves the
understanding of the problem at hand. Thus, it helps to find
a better solution for the problem and makes it easier to
implement the solution.
 Helps program organization and make it easier to keep track
of what each function is doing.
 Functions usually small blocks of code, thus, they are
manageable and easier to maintain.
 Functions are reusable code. Once written, they can be used
many times in the same and other programs.
Top-Down Design
 Top-down design is a method of building
programs based on solution structures derived
from structured decomposition
 Solution to every sub-problem in the structure
chart is usually coded as a function in a program
 Function is a subprogram which carries out a
specific task
Pre-Defined Functions
 Are functions that are already written and are grouped
according to their functionality and usage in files
called libraries.
 Each library is associated with a header file (.h
extension).
 To use predefined functions, the appropriate header files
are included to provide input/output functions.
 Example :
the header file stdio.h is included to provide
input/output functions
User-Defined Functions
 A function that is designed to do a specific task that
eventually becomes part of the overall design and
code of the program.
 Functions designed, written or defined by
programmers
 3 steps necessary for creating and using a function :
 Step 1 : Function prototype (declaring a function)
 Step 2 : Function Call (Using a function)
 Step 3 : Function Definition (writing the function code)
Function Prototypes
 A function prototype declares a certain information pertaining to the function

 C compiler uses the information in the function prototype for compiling

function calls in a program
 This form is similar to the function definition head
 Syntax for function prototyping:
function_type function_name (parameter_definition_list);

• function_type  is the type of data item that is returned to the caller

(i.e: int, float)
• function_name  is the name of the function
• Parameter_definition_list  specifies the type of data items passed to the
function. The data types are placed between parentheses and if there is more
than 1 item, they are separated by commas (,)
Function Definition
 A function Definition consists of TWO parts :
 Function header
Function
 Function body header

 The general form for function definition is

function_type function_name (parameter list)

{
function body
} Function
body
 Function Call
 A function Call is a statement in the program that identifies by name the function to be called
and the arguments to be passed.
 To execute a function, it must first be called with the following information:
 Stating the function name
 Providing a certain information (parameter)

 The general format for a function call is :

function_name (parameter list);

* function_name is the name of the function called

* parameter list is the list of expressions that identifies arguments to be passed to
the function. The number of parameters provided must be the same as defined in the
function definition
The Return Statement
 A function returns a value via a return
statement
 When a return statement is executed, program
control is returned to the caller along with the
return value
 Example:
int computeRectArea (int width, int height)
{ int area ;
area = width * height ;
return area ;
}
 The Return Statement
 The return statement has TWO use :
 It causes an immediate exit from the function whenever the return
statement is executed.
 It can be used to return a value back to the caller. The return value
data type must match the function return type

Example :
function_type function_name (parameter list)
{
function body
return (value); The return value
data type must
}
match the function
type
The Return Statement
 In a function which does not return any
value, the return statement (without
expression) will result in the program
control being returned to the caller.
The Return Statement
 Example:
void displayLine (int length)
{ int i = 0;
while (1)
{ if (i == length)
{ cout <<“\n”;
return;
}
cout << “*”;
i++;
}
}
Example:
Program to display
lines of characters

Display character line

 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

void displayLine( );

main()
main( ) function
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n“);
} displayLine( ) function
 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

void displayLine( ); displayLine( ) function prototype

main()
{
displayLine( );
Function call
} - A call to displayLine( ) function

void displayLine( )
displayLine( ) function
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n”);
}
 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

void displayLine( );
Function head
main()
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n“);
}
 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

void displayLine( );

main() Function body

{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n“);
}
 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

void displayLine( ); Function call

- A call to displayLine( )
main() function
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n“);
}
 Example:
#include <iostream.h>
void displayLine( );

main()
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n”);
}
 Example:
#include <iostream.h>
void displayLine( );

main()
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n”);
}
 Example:
Politeknik Port Dickson
#include <iostream.h> _

void displayLine( );

main()
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n”);
}
 Example:
Politeknik Port Dickson
#include <iostream.h> _

void displayLine( );

main()
{
displayLine( );
}

void displayLine( )
{
printf (“Politeknik Port Dickson\n”);
}
Function Characteristics
 Function characteristics:
 With parameters?
 Returns a value?
 Function Without Parameter
and Not Returning Any Value
 A function which has no parameter and
return value may be defined as follows:
voidvoid function_name( )( )
{ local_variable _declaration;
executable_function_statements;
} Function without any
Function which does not
parameter
return any value
 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );

int main()
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}

void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height;
printf (“Area: ”, area);
}
 Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
int main( )
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height;
printf (“Area: ”, area);
}
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
int main( )
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
width ???
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height; ???
printf (“Area: ”, area);
height
} area ???

_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
int main( )
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
width 12
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height; 8
printf (“Area: ”, area);
height
} area ???

12 8
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
int main( )
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
width 12
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height; 8
printf (“Area: ”, area);
height
} area 96

12 8
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
int main( )
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
width 12
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height; 8
printf (“Area: ”, area);
height
} area 96

12 8
Area: 96
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
int main( )
{ inputComputeAndOutputArea( );
}
void inputComputeAndOutputArea( )
{ int width, height, area;
scanf (“%d %d”, &width, &height);
area = width * height;
printf (“Area: ”, area);
}

12 8
Area: 96
_
Function With Parameters
 For a C function, a parameter needs to be
defined for each data to be handed by a caller

void outputFirstLetter(char firstLetter)

{
printf (“First letter:”, firstLetter;
}
The caller to this function needs to hand a data
of type char. In this function, the data is kept in a
variable named firstLetter
Function With Parameters
 Parameter’s name is optional in function prototype

void displayArea (int width, int height)

{
printf (“Area: ”, width * height);
}

 The following function prototypes are valid:

void displayArea(int width, int height);

void displayArea(int, int);
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

int main( )
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight);
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
}
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

???
int main( ) rectWidth
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
???
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight); rectHeight
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
}
_
  Contoh:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

7
int main( ) rectWidth
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
8
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight); rectHeight
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
}
78
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

7
int main( ) rectWidth
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
8
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight); rectHeight
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
}
78
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

7
int main( ) rectWidth
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
8
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight); rectHeight
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

7
{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
} width
78 8
_ height
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

int main( )
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight);
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

7
{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
} width
78 8
Area: 56 height
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height);

7
int main( ) rectWidth
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight) ;
8
computeAndOutputArea (rectWidth, rectHeight); rectHeight
}

void computeAndOutputArea (int width, int height)

{ printf (“Area: ”, width * height) ;
}
78
Area: 56
_
Function That Returns a Value
 Besides receiving data from the caller, a function
can also return a value to the caller.
 Example:
int computeRectArea (int width, int height)
{ int area ;
area = width * height ;
return area ;
}
Function That Returns a Value
 The data type of the value being returned must
be specified in the function definition.
return_type function_name (parameter_list)
return_type
{ local_variable_definition;
statements;
}

Value type being returned by the function

  Example:
#include <iostream.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ;
void outputArea (int area) ;
int main ( )
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight);
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ;
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
???
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; ???
int main ( )
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
rectHeight
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); ???
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ;
rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}
_
  Example:
7
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); ???
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}

7 11
_
  Example:
7
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); ???
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}

7 11
_
  Example:
7
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); ???
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area) 7 11
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area)width
; height
}

7 11
_
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ;
void outputArea (int area) ;
int main ( )
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight);
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ;
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
77 7 11
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area); width height
}

7 11
_
  Example:
7
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); 77
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}

7 11
_
  Example:
7
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); 77
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height ;
}
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}

7 11
_
  Example:
7
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); 77
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ return width * height 7;11
} _
void outputArea (int area)
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}

77
area
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
int computeArea (int width, int height) ;
void outputArea (int area) ;
int main ( )
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight);
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ;
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ 7711
return width * height 11;
} _Rectangle area: 77
void outputArea (int area)_
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}

77
area
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
7
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( )
rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); 77
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
outputArea (rectArea) ; rectArea
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ 7 11;
return width * height
} Rectangle area: 77
void outputArea (int area)_
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}
  Example:
#include <stdio.h>
7
int computeArea (int width, int height) ; rectWidth
void outputArea (int area) ; 11
int main ( ) rectHeight
{ int rectWidth, rectHeight, rectArea ;
scanf (“%d %d”, &rectWidth, &rectHeight); 77
rectArea = computeArea (rectWidth, rectHeight) ;
rectArea
outputArea (rectArea) ;
}
int computeArea (int width, int height)
{ 7 11;
return width * height
} Rectangle area: 77
void outputArea (int area)_
{ printf (“Rectangle area:”, area) ;
}