Function definition contains the block of code to perform a specific task. In our example, adding two numbers and returning it.
Syntax of function definition
returnType functionName(type1 argument1, type2 argument2, ...)
{
//body of the function
}
When a function is called, the control of the program is transferred to the function definition. And, the compiler starts executing the codes inside the body of a function.
Passing arguments to a function
In programming, argument refers to the variable passed to the function. In the above example, two variables n1 and n2 are passed during the function call.
The parameters a and b accepts the passed arguments in the function definition. These arguments are called formal parameters of the function.
The type of arguments passed to a function and the formal parameters must match, otherwise, the compiler will throw an error.
If n1 is of char type, a also should be of char type. If n2 is of float type, variable b also should be of float type.
A function can also be called without passing an argument.
Return Statement
The return statement terminates the execution of a function and returns a value to the calling function. The program control is transferred to the calling function after the return statement.
In the above example, the value of the result variable is returned to the main function. The sum variable in the main() function is assigned this value.
Syntax of return statement
return (expression);
For example,
return a; return (a+b);
The type of value returned from the function and the return type specified in the function prototype and function definition must match.