UNIT – 4 Session 23 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING INFO – 106

FUNCTIONS

Computer Programming INFO106

 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 program 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, the 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
program. main() func1()
{ {
………….. Statement
………….. Block;
func1(); }
…………
………..
return 0;
}
Computer Programming INFO106
 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 fig. one function calls another, and the other
function in turn calls some other function.

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

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

Computer Programming INFO106

 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 huge 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() .
 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.

Computer Programming INFO106

 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.

Computer Programming INFO106

 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);

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 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 no. and the order of arguments in the function header must be same as that given
in function declaration statement.
Computer Programming INFO106
 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, …);
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, …);
Computer Programming INFO106
#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);
total = sum(num1, num2); // FUNCTION CALL
printf(“\n Total = %d”, total);
return 0;
}
// FUNCTION DEFNITION
int sum ( int a, int b) // FUNCTION HEADER
{ // FUNCTION BODY
return (a + b);
}

Computer Programming INFO106

 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> ;
 Here expression is placed in between angular brackets because specifying an
expression is optional. 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.
 Programmer may or may not place the expression within parentheses.
 By default, the return type of a function is int.
 For functions that has no return statement, the control automatically returns to the

calling function after the last statement of the called function is executed.
Computer Programming INFO106
 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

Computer Programming INFO106

 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;
 }
 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 = 20
 The value of num after calling the function = 2

Computer Programming INFO106

 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. The 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 by the calling program.
 To indicate that an argument is passed using call by reference, an ampersand sign (&)
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
program.

Computer Programming INFO106

 #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 = 20
 The value of num after calling the function = 20

Computer Programming INFO106

 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 scope File scope Program scope

Computer Programming INFO106

 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.
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int x = 10. i;
printf("\n The value of x outside the while loop is %d", x);
while (i<3)
{ 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);
return 0;
}
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 inside the while loop is Programming
Computer 2 INFO106
 Function scope is applicable only with goto label names. That is the programmer can
not have the same label name inside a function.
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 blocks. 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 the main() = %d", x);
int x = 2;
printf("\n The value of local variable x in the main() = %d", x);
print();
}
void print()
{ printf("\n The value of x in the print() = %d", x);
}

Computer Programming INFO106

 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, like this:
static int x = 10;
 A global static variable can be used any where from the file in which it is declared but
it is not accessible by any other files.

 Such variables are useful when the programmer writes his own header files.

Computer Programming INFO106

 The storage class of a variable defines the scope (visibility) and life time 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

Computer Programming INFO106

 STORAGE CLASS
FEATURE
Auto Extern Register Static

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

Default value Garbage Zero Garbage Zero

Computer Programming INFO106

// FILE 1.C #include<stdio.h>
void print(void);
#include<stdio.h> int main()
#include<FILE2.C> {
printf("\n First call of print()");
int x;
print();
void print(void);
printf("\n\n Second call of print()");
int main() print();
{ printf("\n\n Third call of print()");
x = 10; print();
print(); return 0;
return 0; }
}
void print()
// END OF FILE1.C {
static int x;
int y = 0;
// FILE2.C
printf("\n Static integer variable, x = %d",
x);
#include<stdio.h> printf("\n Integer variable, y = %d", y);
x++;
extern x; y++;
void print() }
{
printf("\n x = %d", x); Output:
}
main() First call of print()
{ Static integer variable, x = 0
Integer variable, y = 0
// Statements
}
Second call of print()
// END OF FILE2.C Static integer variable, x = 1
Integer variable, y = 0

Third call of print()

Static integer variable, x = 2
Integer variable, y = 0
Computer Programming INFO106
 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 function, complicated problem is defined in
terms of simpler problems and the simplest problem is given explicitly.

Computer Programming INFO106

 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 if 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 X factorial (n-1)
#include<stdio.h>
int Fact(int)
{ if(n==1)
retrun 1;
return (n * Fact(n-1));
}
main()
{ int num;
scanf(“%d”, &num);
printf(“\n Factorial of %d = %d”, num, Fact(num));
return 0;
}
Computer Programming INFO106
 The Fibonacci series can be given as:
0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55……
 That is, the third term of the series is the sum of the first and second terms. On similar grounds, fourth
term is the sum of second and third terms, so on and so forth. Now we will design a recursive solution
find the nth term of the Fibonacci series. The general formula to do so can be given as
FIB(n) = 1, if n<=2

FIB (n - 1) + FIB (n - 2), otherwise

FIB(7)

FIB(6) FIB(5)

FIB(5) FIB(4) FIB(4) FIB(3)

FIB(4) FIB(3) FIB(3) FIB(2) FIB(3) FIB(2) FIB(2) FIB(1)

FIB(3) FIB(2) FIB(2) FIB(1) FIB(2) FIB(1) FIB(2) FIB(1)

main() FIB(2) FIB(1)

{ int n;
printf(“\n Enter the number of terms in the series : “);
scanf(“%d”, &n);
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
printf(“\n Fibonacci (%d) = %d“, i, Fibonacci(i));
}
int Fibonacci(int num)
{ if(num <= 2)
return 1;
return ( Fibonacci (num - 1) + Fibonacci(num – 2));
} Computer Programming INFO106
 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

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)
retrun n;
return (Func(n-1));
}
Computer Programming INFO106
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; }
return Func2(n);
}

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 the
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;
return Fact1(n-1, n*res);
}

Computer Programming INFO106

 Recursive functions can also be characterized depending on the way in which the
recursion grows- in a linear fashion or forming 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 calls
the Fib function.
int Fibonacci(int num)
{
if(num <= 2)
return 1;
return ( Fibonacci (num - 1) + Fibonacci(num – 2));
}

Computer Programming INFO106

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

Computer Programming INFO106

 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

Computer Programming INFO106

  Consider the working with three rings.

A B C
A B C
A B C

A B C A B C
A B C

A B C A B C

Computer Programming INFO106