Function Basics
These test questions are true-false, fill in the blank, multiple choice, and free form questions that may
require code. The multiple-choice questions may have more than one correct answer. You are required to
mark and comment on correct answers. Mark all the correct answers for full credit. The true false questions
require an explanation in addition to the true/false response, and, if false, also require a correction.
True False:
An explanation is required.
1. Procedural abstraction involves information
hiding in that only the 'contract' between the
programmer using the function (the client) and 2. Write code that declares x, y, and z as
author of a function is known to either.
2. Code after a return or a call to the exit function is
executed will not be executed.
3. It is legal to replace the prototype
double totalCost(int numberParam,
double priceParam);
with the more terse, alternate form
double totalCost(int, double);
4. Extensive use of global variables is a satisfactory
replacement for the difficulties of parameter
passing with functions.
5. A variable declared outside any function is said to
be a local variable.
6. A variable declared within a function block is
said to be local to the function.
7. Consider two blocks, one within another. If an
identifier is declared as a variable in the inmost of
these two blocks, one can access this variable
from the outer block.
8. Consider two blocks, one within another. C++
prohibits an identifier to be declared as a variable
in each of these blocks.
9. Calling something a black box is a figure of
speech that conveys the idea that you cannot see
inside. You know its behavior and interface but
not its implementation.
Free Form Questions:
1. Convert the following mathematics expressions
to C++ expressions. Use the declarations
provided. Indicate the appropriate header file for
any library function used. Be sure you initialize
any variables whose values you are using to
reasonable values for the library functions you
are using.
int x, y; //declaration for a)
and b)
a) y = x3
b) y <= |x|
double x, y, z, area;
//declaration for c) through e).
c) z = x1.6
d) z = area area
x2 + y
e) p = 2
x −y
double variables. Then write code that causes
z to be assigned the result of x divided by y,
rounded as indicated below. Be sure to
#include the header file that declares the
library functions you use.
a) round up
b) round down
c) round to the nearest integer. Does your
code round an exact half up or down? say
2.5?
3. Each of the following lines of code purport to
round the results of the division of doubles to
the nearest integer value (but still of type
double). All are correct C++ code but some do
not round correctly. Tell which rounds down, up,
or to the nearest integer value, or is not
reasonable
Assume that math.h has been included, and that
all variables have appropriate values.
double x, y, z;
a) z = ceil(x/y);
b) z = ceil(x/y-0.5);
c) z = floor(x/y-0.5);
d) z = floor(x/y+0.5);
e) z = floor(x/y);
4. Declare (give a prototype for) a function named
average_grade. This function returns a
double and has four double arguments, test1,
test2, test3, test4. The return value should
be the average, or arithmetic mean of the
four arguments. Be sure to include a "prototype
comment" that tells briefly what the function
does.
5. Define a function named average_grade.
This function returns a double and has four
double arguments, test1, test2, test3,
test4. The return value should be the average,
or arithmetic mean of the four arguments.
Be sure to include a comment that tells briefly
what the function does.
6. Give an outline for the general form of a
programmer defined function.
7. In your own words discuss similarities and
differences between a function and a small
program.
8. Given the function declaration (prototype), does
the compiler complain or compile if you call this
using the following line? If the compiler
complains, what is the complaint?
//if score >= min_to_pass, returns
'P' for passing,
//else returns 'F' for failing.
char grade (int score, int
min_to_pass);
int main()
{
double fscore;
char fgrade;
int need_to_pass;
//omitted code to get values for
variables
//fscore and need
fgrade = grade(fscore, need);
return 0;
} must give all the correct answers for full credit. An
9. What is the error in the following code? Why is
this wrong?
int f(int x)
{ b) make C++ harder than necessary.
int x;
// code for function body
} 2. The sqrt function
10. Procedural abstraction requires the author of a
function and the client (user) of that function to
know and not to know certain things. Remark on
who needs to know and who need not know each
of the following items
a) the requirements on the parameter values,
b) exactly what the return value is to be,
c) the implementation details, and
d) the details of how the function is used by the
client.
11. Here is a complete function that purports to return
one of the roots of a quadratic given suitable
parameters. It looks good but fails to compile.
Why?
//returns one of the roots of the
quadratic equation
//a*x*x + b*x + c = 0 a!= 0
double root1 (double a, double b,
double c)
{ a) The name of the function followed by empty
return (-b + sqrt(b*b-
4*a*c))/(2*a);
}
12. Write a function definition called even that takes
one argument of type int and returns a bool
value. The function returns true if its one
argument is an even number; otherwise it returns
false.
13. Write a function definition for a isDigit
function that takes one argument of type char
and returns a bool value. The function returns
true if the argument is a decimal digit;
otherwise it returns false.
14. Write a function definition for a function called
inOrder that takes three arguments of type
int. The function returns true if the arguments
are in increasing order left to right; otherwise
inOrder returns false. For example,
inOrder(1, 2, 3) returns true, whereas
inOrder(1,3,2) returns false.
15. Write a prototype and prototype comments for
the sqrt library function.
Multiple Choice
There may be more than one correct answer. You
explanation is required.
1. A C++ predefined functions
a) are usually provided in libraries
c) must #include the proper header file
d) are usually provided with the C++ compiler.
a) is provided in the <cmath> library header.
b) returns the square of the argument
c) returns the square root of the argument
d) the argument type is int
e) the return type is double.
3. A C++ predefined function
a) argument is the value the predefined function
starts with
b) may be called any number of times in a
program.
c) computed value is the return value
d) call is an expression that has the type
specified as the return type of the function
and can be used anywhere any other
expression of that type could be used.
e) #include is all that is ever necessary to
provide access.
4. A call to a C++ function is
parentheses.
 b) The name of the function is followed by any
number of arguments, regardless of the
number of parameters in the definition.
c) The name of the function followed by a
number of arguments not greater than the
number of parameters in the definition.
d) The name of the function followed by exactly
the number of arguments as there are
parameters in the definition.
e) The name of the function only.
5. A void function
a) performs some action and returns a value
b) performs some action but does not return a
value
c) is a statement
d) call is written much like a call to a value
returning function but is terminated with a
semicolon.
e) A void function may have a return statement
but is not required to have one.
6. What do the calls to exit(…) do? When
exit(0) and exit(1) are called, what
receives these arguments and what is done with
them?
a) The exit( ) function stops the program.
The argument is discarded.
b) The exit( ) function is obsolete. There is
no longer any such function in the C++
libraries.
c) The exit( ) function stops the program.
The argument is passed to the operating
system which uses it for an error code.
d) The exit( ) function temporarily stops the
program, and sends the argument to the
operating system which uses it for an error
code. The operating system restarts the
program after fixing the error.
e) The exit( ) function allows the systems
programmer to escape when the power supply
catches fire.
7. Which of the following are not names of a C++
library function:
a) abs
b) sqrt
c) random
d) floor
e) labs
8. A void function can have
>>”void” is wrong font.
a) no arguments
b) as many arguments as the programmer wishes
c) no more than 3 arguments
d) exactly one argument
9. Which of the following code fragments gives a
random double value between 2 and 5
inclusive? You can assume that the random
number seed has been set and any needed
definitions and initializations have been made.
a) 3.0*rand() + 2
b) 3.0*(RAND_MAX-rand())/RAND_MAX
+ 2
c) ((RAND_MAX-
rand())/static_cast<double>(RA
ND_MAX))*3 + 2
d) (RAND_MAX-
rand())/static_cast<double>(RA
ND_MAX)*5 -2
e) rand()/static_cast<double>(RAN
D_MAX)*2 + 3
10. , A definition of a variable outside any function is
called a
a) local function definition
b) global variable definition
c) global function header
d) global function definition
e) local variable definition
11. Concerning return statements that functions
can have:
a) Value returning functions can have the
statement return computed_value;
b) void functions can have the statement
return void;
c) void functions must have a return;
statement, with no argument.
d) void functions may terminate using a
return; statement without an argument, or
they may have no return statement at all,
terminating by falling off the end of the
function block.
12. Where can you not declare a variable in a C++
program?
a) Within the parameter list of a function
definition
b) Within the block of a void function.
c) Within the argument list of a function call
d) Within a block nested within another block
e) Within the block of a value returning
function.
13. Which of the following statements about the
definition and declaration of functions is not
correct?
 a) Function declaration is exactly the same as a) returns 7*2
function prototype. b) returns 7+2
b) Function definition is exactly the same as c) returns 7!
function prototype. d) There is a syntax error in the program so it
c) A function header is exactly the same as won’t run.
function prototype except for the semicolon. e) It compiles but computes none of these.
d) A function definition is a function header 17. Correct statements of similarities and differences
followed by the function block. between calling user defined functions and library
e) A function header syntax is the following: functions are:
return_type function_name pare a) Similarity: A call to either requires the
nthesized_parameter_list function name followed by parenthesized
14. A semicolon does not (usually) go after these comma separated list of arguments that match
with the exception of the prototype in number and type.
>>”with the exception of” seems to make no b) Difference: Library functions require
sense here inclusion of header files for declarations but
a) while(condition) user defined functions do not require any
b) if(condition) declaration before use.
c) a function header to make it a function c) Similarity: Either library or user defined
declaration functions may be value returning or void
d) int main( ) functions.
e) an expression to make it a statement d) Difference: Library functions all provide a
15. In the function round of Display 3.6, which of return value, user functions must be void
these explains what happens in the body of the functions.
function? We reproduce the one line from the e) Difference Library function declarations
function body here: (sometimes definitions) come from
return #include <header> statements. User
static_cast<int>(floor(number+ functions require either explicit prototypes
0.5)); prior to use or a #include
a) This is overkill, it would be sufficient to use “user_header.h” for the prototypes
the floor function alone.
18. Suppose the function from Display 3.7 has the
b) Adding 0.5 to number pushes the range up so return statement removed. Which of the
floor can produce the correct rounding.
statements below regarding this change are
c) The static_cast<int> is used because correct? Why?
floor returns a double. If the double void iceCream(int number, double
value were returned, there would be at least a totalWeight)
warning of a double to int conversion in {
returning the value. if(number == 0)
d) This is wrong. The argument for the floor {
cout << “cannot divide among
function should be number-0.5. zero customers.\n”;
16. Given the function definition, which of the return;
following are correct? }
int func(int n, double d) portion = totalWeight/number;
{ cout << “Each one receives “
int j = n; << portion << “ ounces of
double sum = 0; ice cream.” <<endl;
while( j >= 0) }
{ a) The code will not compile.
sum += d; b) The code will compile and run. The output
-j;
}
will be unchanged.
return sum; c) The code will compile. For a zero number of
} customers the code would produce a divide
With arguments 7and 2.0 by zero run-time error.
 d) The program will compile and run correctly double numTimes(int x)
for 1 or more customers. The error for zero {
number of customers could be repaired by double d;
d = NUM * x;
placing an else after the block belonging to
return d;
the if. }
19. Here is a small program. Which of the statements a) The variable x is a parameter in function
about the variables is correct? numTimes
#include <iostream>
b) The variable value is an argument in a call
const double NUM = 2.9345358;
double num = 3; to numTimes.
double numTimes(int x); c) The line double numTimes(int x);
int main( ) is a function definition.
{ d) The line return d; in the function
using namespace std; numTimes is necessary.
int value;
e) The lines of code are a function declaration:
cout << “Enter a value, I’ll
double numTimes(int x)
multiply it by “
<< NUM << endl; { . . .}
cin >> value; 21. Consider the following pair of functions. You are
cout << “You entered “ << value to assume that the ellipses (. . .) contain correct
<< “ NUM times this is “ code sufficient that it with the code you can see
<< numTimes(value) will compile apart from the two variables named
<< endl; sam in the two functions.
return 0; . . . .
} void func1( )
double numTimes(int x) {
{ int sam;
double d; . . .
d = NUM * x; }
return d; void func2( )
} {
a) NUM is a global variable. int sam;
b) num is a global constant. . . .
c) value is local variable in the main function }
int main( )
d) d is a local variable in the numTimes
{
function. func1();
20. Here is a small program. Which of the statements func2();
about this code is correct? . . .
#include <iostream> }
const double NUM = 2.9345358; a) This code will not compile because of the
double num = 3; multiply defined variable sam. In the
double numTimes(int x);
int main( ) explanation give the compiler message you
{ get on compiling.
using namespace std; b) This code will compile just fine.
int value; c) This code will compile but will give a runtime
cout << “Enter a value, I’ll error due to the multiply defined variable
multiply it by “ sam. In the explanation give the error
<< NUM << endl; message you get when this is run.
cin >> value;
d) This code compiles and runs without any
cout << “You entered “ << value
<< “ NUM times this is “ error messages. Explain why in the
<< numTimes(value) explanations.
<< endl; 22. What does it mean when we say a programmer
return 0; using a function should be able to treat the
} function like a black box?
 a) This is meaningless. One must know how a
function does its job to effectively use it.
b) One must be able to rely on the description of
the preconditions (requirements for use of the
function) and the postconditions (promise of
behavior to use the function).
c) If one codes an application that uses a
function with a knowledge of the internal
mechanism of that function, then when the
function’s maintainer changes its internal
mechanism, the application programmer
could be faced with changing the application
code extensively.
d) The most efficient programs are the ones that
each function is designed to maximally use
the internal behavior of every other function
to speed up the code.
23. Assume this code fragment is embedded in an
otherwise correct and complete program. What
should be the output from this code segment?
{ srand(arg) with a different argument
for( int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
{ generate
. . .
} 26. Given the following include directive (to get the
cout << i << endl;
}
a) 10
b) 9
c) 0
d) The variable i is undefined in this scope, so
this should not compile
24. What is the difference between executing the
return 0; statement and its rough equivalent,
a call to the exit(0); function, or the difference
between return 1; and exit(1);?
a) These are very nearly equivalent anywhere
they are encountered.
b) These are very different if encountered in a
function other than main();.The exit
function terminates the program, returning
control to the operating system, whereas
return only terminates the function,
returning control to the calling function.
c) These are very nearly equivalent when
executed in the main function. In main, these
both terminate main and send a success code
to the operating system, returning control to
the operating system.
d) Both these return control to the free store
manager by way of the exception controller,
sending the argument as an error code.
25. We studied the rand() and srand(int) library
functions. The function rand() returns
pseudorandom numbers. What does
pseudorandom mean? What is srand for?
a) Repeated calls to the rand() function
returns a string of numbers that are mostly
different but they aren’t random in any sense.
b) Pseudorandom numbers are things that
resemble numbers but aren’t numbers.
c) In scientific use the word pseudo means
resembling. A pseudorandom number
sequence resemble random number sequence,
but are not strictly random.
d) The function srand(arg) is a helper
function for rand(). It must be called with
the same argument, just before rand(),
every time rand() is called.
e) The function srand(arg) is the seeding
function for rand(). Each call to s
enables a sequence of calls to rand() to
a different sequence of
pseudorandom numbers.
declaration for the pow function from the math
library):
#include <math.h>
Now make these declarations:
double base = 2, exponent = 3,
power = 4;
Which of the following are correct invocations
for the pow function? If any of the following is
correct, give the value returned or assigned, and if
apparently incorrect, explain.
a) power = pow(base, exponent);
b) pow(power, base, exponent);
c) pow(base, exponent) = power;
d) base = pow(exponent, power);