FUNCTIONS
Introduction
A function is a sub program that is executed once
called by the main program.
A function may receive arguments from the main
program, process arguments and return results
to the main program.
Types Of Functions
There are two types of
functions:
- pre-defined (inbuilt) functions
- User-defined functions
Pre-defined
Functions
Were created by the programming language developers to
assist programmers e.g. C programming has the following:
- Input/output functions
- String functions
- Math functions
Input/Output Functions
Input/Output files/libraries containing I/O functions include:
- stdio.h – consisting of printf ()and scanf()
functions.
- conio.h- Stands for CONsole Input Output.
Consisting of the following functions:
clrscr(), delline(), getch(),getche(),
gotoxy(), textcolor(), textbackground()
String Functions
The string functions are stored in the <string.h> header file
Function Action
Strcat() Concatenates two string
Strcmp() Compares two strings
Strlen() Finds the length of a string
Strupr() Converts to upper case
Strlwr() Converts to lower case
//Converts to string to upper case
#include<string.h>
#include<stdio.h>
main() {
char mystring[10];
printf("Enter your string ");
scanf("%s", &mystring);
printf("string to upper case is %s", strupr(mystring));
return 0;
}
// Finds the length of a string
#include<string.h>
#include<stdio.h>
main() {
char mystring[10]; int x;
printf("Enter your string ");
scanf("%s", &mystring);
X = strlen(mystring);
printf(“String length is %d", x);
return 0;
}
#include<math.h>
#include<stdio.h>
main() {
int x;
double ans;
printf("Enter number");
scanf("%d", &x);
ans = sqrt(x); // function call
printf(“Square root is %f", ans);
return 0;
}
Math Functions
Use math.h file.
sqrt
round
truc
sin
tan
cos
Large programs are divided in functional parts, and each of
the functional part is code separately and independently
but later combined into a single unit.
The independently coded programs are called sub-
programs, and in C they are referred to as “functions”.
The functions can be called and used whenever needed.
Advantages of Using Functions
The length of a source program can be reduced by
using functions at appropriate places.
It is easy to locate and isolate a faulty function for
further investigations.
A function may be used by many other programs.
User-defined Function
It is a function developed by the programmer using the
program.
A user-defined functions consists of these elements;
1. Function Definition: Write the function.
2. Function Call: The function is invoked or called by
the main program.
Definition of Functions
A function definition has the following elements;
1. Function name
2. Function return type
3. List of parameters.
4. Local variable declarations
5. Function body statements
6. A return statement.
All the six elements are grouped together into two parts,
namely; function header and function body.
General Format Of A User-defined Function
return_type function_name (parameter list)
{
local variable declaration;
executable statement 1
executable statement 2;
------ -------
return statement;
}
Function Header
The functional header consists of the first three (3)
elements:
function type (also called return type);
function name and
the formal parameter list.
No semi colon is used at the end if the function header
section.
Function Header
Function type specifies the type of value (int, float, void) that the
function is expected to return to the calling function.
Function Name is any valid C identifier and thus must follow the
same rules of formulation as other variable names in C.
Formal Parameter List Parameter list declares the variables that
will receive data sent by the calling program. They serve as input
data to the function to carry out the specified task.
Function Body
Contain the declaration and statements necessary for performing
the required task. It is enclosed on braces { } and contain three
parts;
1. Local declarations that specify the variables needed by the
function
2. Function statements that perform the task of the function
3. Return statement that returns the value evaluated by the
function.
Example
float multiply (float x, float y)
float results; /* declare local variable*/
results = x * y; /*computes the products*/
return (results); /*returns the results*/
}
Function Call
A function may be called by simply using the name followed
by a list of actual parameters (or arguments) if any enclosed
in parenthesis.
Example
1. Write a program to input 2 numbers then use a function to
calculate the sum of two numbers entered.
2. Write a program to input radius then use a function to
calculate the area of a circle.
# include <stdio.h> Scanf (“%d”,&a);
int add (int x,int y) Printf (“Enter number”);
{ Scanf (“%d”,&b);
int ans; Result=add(a,b); // Function call
ans=x+y; Printf (“Answer is %d”,result);
return ans; }
int main()
# include <stdio.h> scanf(“%d”,&rad);
float area(int r) ar=area(rad); // function call
{ printf(“Answer is %f”, ar);
int ans; float pi=3.14; return 0;
ans= pi*r*r; }
return ans;
}
int main()
{
int rad; float ar;
printf (“Enter radius”);
