Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Introduction to Functions CIS 1057 Computer Programming in C Fall 2013 (Acknowledgement: Many slides based on/borrowed from Professor Hugh C. Lauer. Slides include materials from The C Programming Language, 2 nd edition, by Kernighan and Ritchie and from C: How to Program, 5 th and 6 th editions, by Deitel and Deitel)
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Definition – Function A fragment of code that accepts zero or more argument values, produces a result value, and has zero or more side effects. A method of encapsulating a subset of a program or a system To hide details To be invoked from multiple places To share with others
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Functions – a big Topic Examples Function definition Function prototypes & Header files Pre- and post-conditions Scope and storage class Implementation of functions Recursive functions
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Common Functions #include –sin(x) // radians –cos(x) // radians –tan(x) // radians –atan(x) –atan2(y,x) –exp(x) // e x –log(x) // log e x –log10(x) // log 10 x –sqrt(x) // x 0 –pow(x, y) // x y –... #include –printf() –fprintf() –scanf() –sscanf() –... #include –strcpy() –strcat() –strcmp() –strlen() –...
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Common Functions (continued) See also the man pages of your system for things like // concurrent execution // network communications... // many, many other facilities Fundamental Rule: if there is a chance that someone else had same problem as you, … … there is probably a package of functions to solve it!
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Functions in C resultType functionName( type 1 param1, type 2 param2, …) { … body … } If no result, resultType should be void Warning if not! If no parameters, use void between ()
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Functions in C resultType functionName( type 1 param1, type 2 param2, …) { … body … }// functionName If no result, resultType should be void Warning if not! If no parameters, use void between () It is good style to always end a function with a comment showing its name
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Using Functions Let int f(double x, int a) be (the beginning of) a declaration of a function. Then f(expr 1, expr 2 ) can be used in any expression where a value of type int can be used – e.g., N = f(pi*pow(r,2), b+c) + d;
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Let int f(double x, int a) be (the beginning of) a declaration of a function. Then f(expr 1, expr 2 ) can be used in any expression where a value of type int can be used – e.g., N = f(pi*pow(r,2), b+c) + d; Using Functions (continued) This is a parameter This is an argument This is also an argument
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Definitions Parameter:– a declaration of an identifier within the '()' of a function declaration Used within the body of the function as a variable of that function Initialized to the value of the corresponding argument. Argument:– an expression passed when a function is called; becomes the initial value of the corresponding parameter
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Let int f(double x, int a) be (the beginning of) a declaration of a function. Then f(expr 1, expr 2 ) can be used in any expression where a value of type int can be used – e.g., N = f(pi*pow(r,2), b+c) + d; Using Functions (continued) The first argument expression is evaluated, converted to double, and assigned to parameter x The second argument expression is evaluated, converted to int, and assigned to parameter a
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Let int f(double x, int a) be (the beginning of) a declaration of a function. Then f(expr 1, expr 2 ) can be used in any expression where a value of type int can be used – e.g., N = f(pi*pow(r,2), b+c) + d; Using Functions (continued) Function f is executed and returns a value of type int Result of f is added to d Sum is assigned to N
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Questions?
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Function Definition Every function definition has the form return-type function-name (parameter declarations) { definitions and statements } For practical purposes, code between {} (inclusive) is a compound statement
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Note Functions in C do not allow other functions to be declared within them Like C++, Java Unlike Algol, Pascal All functions defined at “ top level ” of C programs (Usually) visible to linker Can be linked by any other program that knows the function prototype
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Examples double sin(double radians) { … }//sin unsigned int strlen (char *s) { … }//strlen
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Note on printf, etc. int printf(char *s,...) { body }//printf In this function header, “ … ” is not a professor ’ s place-holder (as often used in these slides) …but an actual sequence of three dots (no spaces between) Meaning:– the number and types of arguments is indeterminate Use to extract the arguments
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Questions?
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Function Prototypes There are many, many situations in which a function must be used separate from where it is defined – before its definition in the same C program In one or more completely separate C programs This is actually the normal case! Therefore, we need some way to declare a function separate from defining its body. Called a Function Prototype
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Function Prototypes (continued) Definition:– a Function Prototype is a language construct in C with the form:– return-type function-name (parameter declarations) ;
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Function Prototypes (continued) Definition:– a Function Prototype is a language construct in C with the form:– return-type function-name (parameter declarations) ; I.e., exactly like a function definition, except with a ';' instead of a body in curly brackets
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Purposes of Function Prototype So compiler knows how to compile calls to that function, i.e., –number and types of arguments –type of result As part of a “ contract ” between developer and programmer who uses the function As part of hiding details of how it works and exposing what it does. A function serves as a “ black box. ”
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Header files In applications with multiple C programs, function prototypes are typically provided in header files I.e., the ‘.h ’ files that programmers include in their code Grouped by related functions and features To make it easier for developers to understand To make it easier for team development To make a package that can be used by someone else
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall #include Search the system ’ s directories in order for a file of the name foo.h Directories can be added with ‘ -I ’ switch to gcc command –E.g., gcc –I myProject/include foo.c –Precedes system directories in search order #include "foo.h" Search the directory where the source program is found first, before -I and system directories
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Typical C Programming Style A lot of small C programs, rather than a few large ones Header files to tie them together Makefiles to build or rebuild them in an organized way
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Definition – Stub A stub is a dummy implementation of a function with an empty body A placeholder while building a program So that it compiles correctly Fill in one-stub at a time Compile and test if possible
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Questions?
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall “ Contract ” between Developer and User of a Function 1.Function Prototype 2.The pre- and post-conditions –I.e., assertions about what is true before the function is called and what is true after it returns. –A logical way of explaining what the function does
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Definitions Pre-condition:–a characterization or logical statement about the values of the parameters, and values of relevant variables outside the function prior to calling the function Post-condition:–a logical statement or characterization about the result of the function in relation to the values of the parameters and pre-conditions, and changes to values of variables outside the function after the function returns
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Example 1 double sin (double angle); –Pre:– angle is expressed in radians –Post:– result is the familiar sine of angle –Note: this function does not use or change any other variables
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Example 2 int printf (string, arg 1, arg 2, …) –Pre:– string terminated with '\0' and containing conversion specifiers –Pre:– a buffer maintained by the file system contains zero or more unprinted characters from previous calls. –Post:– args are substituted for conversion codes in copy of string; resulting string is added to buffer –Post:– if '\n' is anywhere in buffer, line is “ printed ” up to '\n' ; printed characters are cleared from buffer –Post:– result is number of characters added to buffer by printf
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Example 3 /* Pre: fahrenheit value Post:Celsius value */ double f2c(double fahrenheit) { double celsius = 5.0/9.0 * (fahrenheit-32); return celsius; }
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Important Pre- and post-conditions are analogous to loop invariants I.e., they describe something about the data before and after a function is called and the relationship that the function preserves Often are used together with loop invariants … to show that loop invariant is preserved from one iteration to the next
Introduction to FunctionsCIS 1057 Fall Questions?