Functions

In this section, we will learn about functions and how to use them.

Functions

Functions are an important part of programming that allow you to group and structure code, making it more readable and maintainable. Functions also allow you to reuse the same code multiple times without having to rewrite it.

What is a function?

A function is a block of code that performs a specific task or calculation. It has a name and can accept arguments (input data) and return a result (output data).

For example, main, which we wrote, is also a function, which is the main function of the program. Another example of a function could be the following:

In this example, we declare a function named summa (sum), which takes two integers a and b as arguments. Inside the function, we perform an addition operation and return the result using the return keyword.

How to use functions?

To use a function, follow these steps:

• Declare the function, specifying its return type, name, and list of arguments.
• Define the body of the function, specifying what actions it should perform.
• Call the function in another part of the program, passing the necessary arguments, if any.

Example of using the summa function:

In this example, we call the summa function and pass it the arguments 5 and 3. The function performs the addition and returns the result, which we store in the resultat variable and display on the screen.

Why use functions?

Using functions provides the following advantages:

• Modularity — the code is broken down into small parts (functions), which makes it easier to understand and manage.
• Reusability — functions can be called multiple times in different parts of the program, avoiding code duplication.
• Improved debugging — errors in the code are easier to find and fix when the code is divided into functions.
• Improved readability — the code becomes more structured and understandable, which simplifies its support and maintenance.

The use of functions is important for developing large and complex programs, and it is one of the basic tools in programming.