FUNCTIONS

CS10003: PROGRAMMING AND DATA STRUCTURES

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INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KHARAGPUR
Introduction
Function
• A program segment that carries out a specific, well-defined task.
• Examples
• A function to find the gcd of two numbers
• A function to find the largest of n numbers

A function will carry out its intended task whenever it is called

• Functions may call other functions (or itself)
• A function may be called multiple times (with different arguments)

Every C program consists of one or more functions.

• One of these functions must be called “main”.
• Execution of the program always begins by carrying out the instructions in “main”.
Function Control Flow

Code
Execution
void print_banner ( )
{ int main () print_banner {
printf(“********\n”); {
…
} }
print_banner ();
…
print_banner {
print_banner ();
int main ( )
{ } }
. . .
print_banner ( ) ;
. . .
print_banner ( ) ; If function A calls function B:
}
A : calling function / caller function
B : called function

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Why Functions?
Functions allow one to develop a program in a modular fashion.
• Codes become readable
• Codes become manageable to debug and maintain

Write your own functions to avoid writing the same code segments multiple times
• If you check several integers for primality in various places of your code, just write a single
primality-testing function, and call it on all occasions

Use existing functions as building blocks for new programs

• Use functions without rewriting them yourself every time it is needed
• These functions may be written by you or by others (like sqrt(), printf())

Abstraction: Hide internal details (library functions)

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Use of functions: Area of a circle
#include <stdio.h>

/* Function to compute the area of a circle */

float myfunc (float r) Function definition
{ float a;
a = 3.14159 * r * r;
return a; /* return result */ Function argument
}

main()
{
float radius, area;

scanf (“%f”, &radius);

area = myfunc (radius); Function call
printf (“\n Area is %f \n”, area);
}
Use of functions: Area of a circle
#include <stdio.h>

/* Function to compute the area of a circle */

float myfunc (float r) Function definition
{ float a;
a = 3.14159 * r * r;
• A called function processes information
Function that is passed to it from the
argument
return a; /* return result */
} calling function, and the called function may return a single value (result)
to the calling function.
main() • Information passed to the function via special identifiers called
{
float radius, area; arguments or parameters.
• The value is returned by the return statement.
scanf (“%f”, &radius);
area = myfunc (radius);
Function call
printf (“\n Area is %f \n”, area);
}
Defining a Function #include <stdio.h>

A function definition has two parts:

• The first line return value /* Function to compute the area of a
type circle */
• The body of the function
float myfunc (float r)
{
General syntax: float a;
return-value-type function-name ( parameter-list ) a = 3.14159 * r * r;
{ return a;
declarations and statements }
}
main()
{
The first line contains the return-value-type, the function name, and
float radius, area;
optionally a set of comma-separated arguments enclosed in ( ).
• Each argument has an associated type declaration. scanf (“%f”, &radius);
• The arguments are called formal arguments or formal parameters. area = myfunc (radius);
Example: printf (“\n Area is %f \n”, area);
}
float myfunc (float r)
int gcd (int A, int B)
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Calling a function
#include <stdio.h>
• Called by specifying the function name and parameters in an
instruction in the calling function.
/* Function to compute the area of a
circle */
float myfunc (float r)
• When a function is called from some other function, the {
corresponding arguments in the function call are called float a;
actual arguments or actual parameters. a = 3.14159 * r * r;
return a;
• The function call must include a matching actual parameter }
for each formal parameter.
main()
• Position of an actual parameters in the parameter list in the {
call must match the position of the corresponding formal float radius, area;
parameter in the function definition.
scanf (“%f”, &radius);
• The formal and actual arguments would match in their data
area = myfunc (radius);
types. Mismatches are auto-typecasted if possible. printf (“\n Area is %f \n”, area);
• The actual parameters can be expressions possibly }
involving other function calls (like f(g(x)+y)).

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Function Prototypes: declaring a function
Usually, a function is defined before it is called.
• main() is usually the last function in the program written.
• Easy for the compiler to identify function definitions in a single scan through the file.

Some prefer to write the functions after main(). There may be functions that call each other.
• Must be some way to tell the compiler what is a function when compilation reaches a function call.
• Function prototypes are used for this purpose
• Only needed if function definition comes after a call to that function.

• Function prototypes are usually written at the beginning of a program, ahead of any functions (including main()).
• Prototypes must specify the types. Parameter names are optional (ignored by the compiler).
• Examples:
int gcd (int , int );
void div7 (int number);
• Note the semicolon at the end of the line.
• The parameter name, if specified, can be anything; but it is a good practice to use the same names as in the function
definition.

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Example:
Function prototype / declaration
#include <stdio.h>
int sum( int, int );
int main( ) This program needs a function prototype or
{ function declaration since the function call
int x, y; comes before the function definition.
scanf(“%d%d”, &x, &y);
printf(“Sum = %d\n”, sum(x, y));
}
Function call
int sum (int a, int b)
{
return a + b;
Function definition
}

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Return value
• Sometimes a function is not meant for returning anything
• A function can return a single value
Using return statement • Such functions are of type void
• Like all values in C, a function return value has a type
• The return value can be assigned to a variable in the calling Example: A function which prints if a number is divisible
function by 7 or not.

int main( ) void div7 (int n)

{ {
int x, y, s; if ((n % 7) == 0)
scanf(“%d%d”, &x, &y); printf (“%d divisible by 7”, n);
else
s = sum(x, y);
printf (“%d not divisible by 7”, n);
}
return;
int sum (int a, int b) }
{
return a + b; • The return type is void
} • The return statement for void functions is optional at
the end

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The return statement
void compute_and_print_itax ()
In a value-returning function, return does two distinct {
things: float income;
scanf (“%f”, &income);
• Specify the value returned by the execution of the if (income < 50000) {
function. printf (“Income tax = Nil\n”);
• Terminate the execution of the called function and return; /* Terminates function execution */
transfer control back to the caller function. }
if (income < 60000) {
printf (“Income tax = %f\n”, 0.1*(income-50000));
A function can only return one value. return; /* Terminates function execution */
• The value can be any expression matching the return }
type. if (income < 150000) {
printf (“Income tax = %f\n”,0.2*(income-60000)+1000);
• It might contain more than one return statement.
return ; /* Terminates function execution */
}
In a void function: printf (“Income tax = %f\n”,0.3*(income-150000)+19000);
}
• "return” is optional at the end of the function body.
• "return” may also be used to terminate execution of
the function explicitly before reaching the end.
• No return value should appear following “return”.

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Another Example: What is happening here?

int main()
int prime (int x)
{
{
int numb, flag, j=3;
int i, test;
scanf(“%d”,&numb);
i=2, test =0;
while (j <= numb) {
while ((i <= sqrt(x)) && (test ==0))
flag = prime(j);
{
if (flag == 0)
if (x%i==0) test = 1;
printf( “%d is prime\n”, j );
i++;
j++;
}
}
return test;
return 0;
}
}

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Tracking the flow of control
int main() PROGRAM OUTPUT
{ 5
int prime(int x) numb = 5
int numb, flag, j=3;
{
scanf(“%d”,&numb); int i, test; Main, j = 3
printf(“numb = %d \n”,numb); i = 2; test = 0; In function, x = 3
while (j <= numb) Returning, test = 0
{ printf(“In function, x = %d \n”,x); Main, flag = 0
while ((i <= sqrt(x)) && (test == 0)) 3 is prime
printf(“\nMain, j = %d\n”,j);
{
flag = prime(j); Main, j = 4
if (x%i == 0) test = 1; In function, x = 4
printf(“Main, flag = %d\n”,flag); i++; Returning, test = 1
} Main, flag = 1
if (flag == 0) printf(“%d is prime\n”,j); printf(“Returning, test = %d \n”,test);
j++; Main, j = 5
} return test; In function, x = 5
return 0; } Returning, test = 0
} Main, flag = 0
5 is prime

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Nested Functions
A function cannot be defined within another function. It can be called within another function.
• All function definitions must be disjoint.

Nested function calls are allowed.

• A calls B, B calls C, C calls D, etc.
• The function called last will be the first to return.

A function can also call itself, either directly or in a cycle.

• A calls B, B calls C, C calls back A.
• Called recursive call or recursion.

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Example: main( ) calls ncr( ), ncr( ) calls fact( )

#include <stdio.h> int ncr (int n, int r)

int ncr (int n, int r); {
int fact (int n); return (fact(n)/fact(r)/fact(n-r));
}
main()
{
int i, m, n, sum=0; int fact (int n)
scanf (“%d %d”, &m, &n); {
int i, temp=1;
for (i=1; i<=m; i+=2)
sum = sum + ncr(n, i) ; for (i=1; i<=n; i++)
temp *= i;
printf (“Result: %d \n”, sum);
return (temp);
}
}

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Local variables
A function can define its own local variables.
The local variables are known (can be accessed) only within the function in which they are
declared.
• Local variables cease to exist when the function returns.
• Each execution of the function uses a new set of local variables.
Parameters are also local.

/* Find the area of a circle with parameter

diameter d */
double circle_area (double d)
{
double radius, area; local variables
radius = d/2.0;
area = 3.14*radius*radius;
return (area);
}

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Revisiting nCr

int ncr (int n, int r)

{
return (fact(n)/fact(r)/fact(n-r)); The n in ncr( ) and
} the n in fact( ) are
different
int fact (int n)
{
int i, temp=1;
for (i=1; i<=n; i++)
temp *= i;
return (temp);
}

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Scope of a variable

• Part of the program from which the value of the variable can be used (seen).

• Scope of a variable - Within the block in which the variable is defined.

• Block = group of statements enclosed within { }

• Local variable – scope is usually the function in which it is defined.

• So two local variables of two functions can have the same name, but they are different
variables

• Global variables – declared outside all functions (even main).

• Scope is entire program by default, but can be hidden in a block if local variable of same
name defined
• You are encouraged to avoid global variables

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What happens here?
#include <stdio.h>
int A; /* This A is a global variable */
void main( )
{
A = 1;
myProc( );
A=2
printf ( "A = %d\n", A );
}
Scope of
global A void myProc( )
{
A = 2;

/* other statements */
printf ( "A = %d\n", A ); A=2
}

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Local Scope replaces Global Scope
#include <stdio.h>
int A; /* This A is a global variable */
void main( )
{
A = 1;
myProc( );
printf ( "A = %d\n", A ); A=1
}

Scope of void myProc( )

global A {
int A = 2; /* This A is a local variable */

Scope of /* other statements */

local A /* within this function, A refers to the local A */

printf ( "A = %d\n", A ); A=2

}

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Parameter Passing

When the function is called, the value of the actual parameter is copied to the formal parameter

parameter passing

int main ()
{ . . . double area (double r)
double radius, a; {
. . . return (3.14*r*r);
a = area(radius); }
. . .
}

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Parameter Passing by Value in C

• Used when invoking functions

Call by value / parameter passing by value

• Called function gets a copy of the value of the actual argument passed to the
function.
• Execution of the function does not change the actual arguments.
• All changes to a parameter done inside the function are done on the copy.
• The copy is removed when the control returns to the caller function.
• The value of the actual parameter in the caller function is not affected.
• The arguments passed may very well be expressions (example: fact(n-r)).

Call by reference
• Passes the address of the original argument to a called function.
• Execution of the function may affect the original argument in the calling function.
• Not directly supported in C, but supported in some other languages like C++.
• In C, you can pass copies of addresses to get the desired effect.

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 Parameter passing and return: 1

int main()
{
int a=10, b;
printf (“Initially a = %d\n”, a);
b = change (a);
printf (“a = %d, b = %d\n”, a, b); Output
return 0;
} Initially a = 10
Before x = 10
int change (int x)
{ After x = 5
printf (“Before x = %d\n”,x); a = 10, b = 5
x = x / 2;
printf (“After x = %d\n”, x);
return (x);
}

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 Parameter passing and return: 2

int main()
{
int x=10, b;
printf (“M: Initially x = %d\n”, x);
b = change (x);
printf (“M: x = %d, b = %d\n”, x, b); Output
return 0;
} M: Initially x = 10
F: Before x = 10
int change (int x)
{ F: After x = 5
printf (“F: Before x = %d\n”,x); M: x = 10, b = 5
x = x / 2;
printf (“F: After x = %d\n”, x);
return (x);
}

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 Parameter passing and return: 3
int main()
{ Output
int x=10, y=5;
M1: x = 10, y = 5
printf (“M1: x = %d, y = %d\n”, x, y);
interchange (x, y); F1: x = 10, y = 5
printf (“M2: x = %d, y = %d\n”, x, y); F2: x = 5, y = 10
return 0;
M2: x = 10, y = 5
}

void interchange (int x, int y)

{
int temp;
printf (“F1: x = %d, y = %d\n”, x, y); How do we write an interchange function?
temp= x; x = y; y = temp;
(will see later)
printf (“F2: x = %d, y = %d\n”, x, y);
}

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Header files and preprocessor

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Header Files
Header files:
• Contain function declarations / prototypes for library functions.
• <stdlib.h> , <math.h> , etc.
• Load with: #include <filename>
• Example: #include <math.h>
• The function definitions of library functions are in the actual libraries (e.g., math library).

We can also create custom header files:

• Create file(s) with function prototypes / declarations.
• Save as filename.h (say).
• Load in other files with #include "filename.h"

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C preprocessor

• Statements starting with # are handled by the C preprocessor

• May be done by the compiler or by a separate program
• Preprocessing is done before the actual compilation process begins

• The C preprocessor is basically a text substitution tool

• For instance, #include command is replaced by the contents of the specified header file
• Such commands are called preprocessor directives

• We will study another preprocessor directive: #define

• There are more such directives – see book

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#define: Macro definition
Preprocessor directive in the following form:
#define string1 string2

• Replaces string1 by string2 wherever it occurs before compilation. For example,

#define PI 3.1415926

#define PI 3.1415926
main()
main()
{
{
macro pre-processing float r = 4.0, area;
float r = 4.0, area;
area = 3.1415926 * r * r;
area = PI * r * r;
}
}

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#define with arguments
#define statement may be used with arguments.
• Example: #define sqr(x) x*x
• How will macro substitution be carried out?
r = sqr(a) + sqr(30); 🡪 r = a*a + 30*30;
r = sqr(a+b); 🡪 r = a+b*a+b;

• The macro should better be written as:

#define sqr(x) (x)*(x)
r = sqr(a+b); 🡪 r = (a+b)*(a+b); WRONG?

• Is this still correct?

r = c / sqr(a+b); 🡪 r = c / (a+b)*(a+b);

Macros are not functions. They are literally substituted without evaluation.

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Practice Problems

No separate problems needed.

• Look at everything that you did so far, such as finding sum, finding average, counting something, checking if
something is true or false (“ Is there an element in array A such that….) etc. in which the final answer is one
thing only (like sum, count, 0 or 1,…).
• Then for each of them, rather than doing it inside main (as you have done so far), write it as a function with
appropriate parameters, and call from main() to find and print.

• Normally, read and print everything from main(). Do not read or print anything inside the function. This will
give you better practice.
• However, you can write simple functions for printing an array.

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