Functions

Sudesh Maduwantha Kumarasiri

Under Graduate student
University Of Kelaniya
BENEFITS OF USING FUNCTIONS

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q The function provides modularity.

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q The function provides reusable code.

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q In large programs, debugging and editing tasks is easy
with the use of functions.

q The program can be modularized into smaller parts.

q Separate function independently can be developed

according to the needs.
TWO TYPES OF FUNCTIONS IN C

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q Built-in (Library) functions: They are stored in system

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libraries.

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§ scanf, printf, strcpy, strcmp, strlen, round etc. To use
these functions appropriate C header files should be
imported.

q User defined functions

§ The functions that are defined (written) by the

programmer (user) within a program.
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PARTS OF FUNCTIONS

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q Function Prototype (function declaration)

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❑ Function Definition

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❑ Function Call
FUNCTION PROTOTYPE(FUNCTION
DECLARATION)

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Syntax:

data_Type function_Name (Parameter List)

FUNCTION DEFINITION

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Syntax:

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return_Type function_Name ( Function arguments )

}
 CALLING THE FUNCTION
#include <stdio.h>

/* function declaration */
int addition();

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int main()

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{

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/* local variable definition */

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int answer; /*calling a function to get addition value */
answer = addition();

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printf("The addition of the two numbers is: %d\n",answer);

return 0;
} /* function returning the addition of two numbers */

int addition()
{
/* local variable definition */
int num1,num25;
return num1+num2:
}
FUNCTIONS

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q A function is a group of statements that is

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executed when it is called from some point of the

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program.

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q Using functions, we can structure our program in a
more modular way.

q Function is a module or block of a program code

which deals with a particular task.
HOW TO WRITE AND USE A FUNCTION IN
C

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q First a function must be declared and defined:

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q Function declaration (function prototype) .

q Function definition Then the function can be used:

Function call .
FUNCTION ARGUMENTS

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CALL BY VALUE:

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CALL BY REFERENCE

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FUNCTION DECLARATION (FUNCTION

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PROTOTYPE)

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C PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATIVE THE USE OF

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LIBRARY

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q Library functions in C language are inbuilt functions which are

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grouped together and placed in a common place called library.

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q Each library function in C performs specific operation.

q We can make use of these library functions to get the pre-defined

output instead of writing our own code to get those outputs.

q These library functions are created by the persons who designed

and created C compilers.
C PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATIVE THE USE OF
LIBRARY

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qAll C standard library functions are declared in many header files

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which are saved as file_name.h

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qActually, function declaration, definition for macros are given in

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all header files.

qWe are including these header files in our C program using

“#include” command to make use of the functions those are
declared in the header files.

qWhen we include header files in our C program using “#include”

command, all C code of the header files are included in C program.
Then, this C program is compiled by compiler and executed.
C VARIABLE SCOPE

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q A scope is a region of the program, and the scope of

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variables refers to the area of the program where the

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variables can be accessed after its declaration.

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q In C every variable defined in scope. You can define
scope as the section or region of a program where a
variable has its existence; moreover, that variable
cannot be used or accessed beyond that region.

q In C programming, variable declared within a function is

different from a variable declared outside of a function.
The variable can be declared in three places. These are:
VARIABLE SCOPES ARE 3 TYPES

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GLOBAL VARIABLES VS LOCAL VARIABLES

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Local scope The variable
Global scope The

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loc1 is a local variable
variable g is a inside the main function.

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global variable. It can only be accessed

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It can be from within the scope of
accessed from any main function.
function in the C Local scope The variable
program file loc2 is a local variable
(global scope) inside the display
function. It can only be
accessed from within the
scope of display function.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED

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HEADER FILES

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FOUR TYPES OF USER DEFINED

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FUNCTIONS

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q Functions with no parameters and no return.

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q Functions with no parameters and a return.

q Functions with parameters and no return.

q Functions with parameters and a return.

FUNCTIONS WITH PARAMETERS AND A
RETURN.

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FUNCTIONS WITH NO PARAMETERS AND NO
RETURN

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FUNCTIONS WITH NO PARAMETERS AND A
RETURN.

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FUNCTIONS WITH PARAMETERS AND NO
RETURN.

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WHY ARE FUNCTIONS NEEDED?

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q Reusability :

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v Once a function is defined, it can be used over and over
and … over again.

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q Abstraction
v In order to use a function –

§ you only need to know its the name, parameters list,

return type and what the function does. you don’t need
to know any implementation details of a function!
QUESTIONS

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1. Write a function that takes two integers and returns the

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minimum of the two numbers.

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2. Write a function that takes three integers and returns the

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average of the three numbers.

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3. Write a function to display the text “Hello world using a
function!” .

4. Write a function that takes an integer and checks whether the

given number is an odd number or an even number.

5. Write a function that takes in an integer (can be negative or

positive) and returns its positive value
**HAPPY CODING**