Learn Arguments | Functions

Functions can be thought of as mini-factories, taking raw materials and transforming them into various products. Similarly, functions process input data. The input for a function is termed as arguments or parameters.

main.cpp


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func_type func_name(arguments)
{
	// The core functionality of the function
	// The resulting outcome after function execution
	return function_output; 
}

As an example, you can design a function to convert degrees to radians:

Main.c


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#include <stdio.h> 

// My function for conversion degrees to radians
// `double degree` is argument
double degreesToRadians(double degree) { 
	double rads = (degree * 3.14) / 180;
	return rads; // Output of function
}

int main() {
	double degree = 30;
	printf("30 degrees equals %.2f radians\n", degreesToRadians(degree));
    
	return 0;
}

Scope

Imagine a function call as a portal into a separate, self-contained realm where specific actions take place. Objects birthed in this realm exist solely there, and once the realm ceases to exist, so do they.

For instance, if we declare a variable inside a function, it remains inaccessible from outside that function. The sole piece of information we can extract from a function's execution is what we retrieve using the return statement.

Arguments

Functions can take a variety of arguments: basic data types (like int, char, double), arrays/strings, pointers (teaser!), and even other functions.

It's also important to note that the names of the arguments within the function might differ from the actual data you're passing into it.

int exampleFunc(int inputVar) 
{
    … 
    return result;
}

The variable int inputVar lives only within the scope of the function, acting as a placeholder for the data we want to feed into the function. However, the data types of both the arguments and the actual data passed to the function must align.

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Section 5. Chapter 3

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