im a beginner :)

[nicole Yoonzy]

what is a function prototype?

[Volatile Pulse]

As a definition, it's simply a way to tell the compiler you have a function with a certain name, accepts certain values, and returns a certain type. This can be most similarly related to a variable declaration. There is no definition, but it "exists".

As code, the following is a function prototype/declaration:

#include <iostream>

// Function Prototype
int myFunc(int, int, double);
// Alternative (and my preferred way of writing prototypes
//    use the variable names
// int myFunc(int a, int b, double c);

int main() {
   // Calling my function
   myFunc(1, 2, 5.0);

   return 0;
}

// Function Definition
int myFunc(int a, int b, double c) {
   return ((a + b) / c);
}

Essentially a prototype gives you the ability to move your function definitions to the bottom of your program. In C++, you must declare something before using it, and with a prototype, our function is essentially declared (you get an error if you put your function at the end of your program without a prototype).

[nicole Yoonzy]

oohhh! so that's it, prototype is the declaration thing. thanks again. :)