function implementation and prototypes?

[Shannon1981]

We have a test on tuesday, and I was hoping to get some step by step help on implementing functions and identifying their prototypes. I went to the tutorial, but still don't fully understand. Can someone please direct me somewhere with examples on how to implement a function and display it's prototype?

[Moschops]

A functions prototype is its name, what kind of object it returns, and what kind of object(s) it accepts.

The format is as follows:

typeOfObjectReturned nameOfFunction(firstKindOfObjectIn name1, SecondKindOfObjectIn name 2, ...)

Here's an example.

int main(void);

This is the prototype for a function called main that returns an int and accepts no input arguments.

Here's another one:

passenger eatSomeChips (int beans, catArray hopelessness);

This is the prototype for a function called eatSomeChips that returns a passenger object and accept two input arguments; an int called beans and a catArray called hopelessness.


To implement the function, take the prototype and add the actual code that makes it do whatever it does.

passenger eatSomeChips (int beans, catArray hopelessness)
{
  // Lots of code in here
  //   return a passenger object.
}

[LB]

Also, function prototypes do not have to have names given for their parameters, so keep that in mind as it may be part of your test.

[Shannon1981]

Thank you! I'll practice. will return with examples I have completed.

[ascii]

you almost never actually need function prototypes. all they let you do is call a function that you havent defined yet. you can just define all of your functions at the top of your program and often this can be simpler and easier :)

[Moschops]

You'll need them if you're using library functions.

[ascii]

i quote myself: you ALMOST NEVER

perhaps this is still a bit of an exageration though :o