C++ Functions

The general form of a C++ function definition is as follows:

return_typefunction_name( parameter list )

{

body of the function

}

A C++ function definition consists of a function header and a function body. Here are all the parts of a function:

· Return Type: A function may return a value. The return_type is the data type of the value the function returns. Some functions perform the desired operations without returning a value. In this case, the return_type is the keyword void.

· Function Name: This is the actual name of the function. The function name and the parameter list together constitute the function signature.

· Parameters: A parameter is like a placeholder. When a function is invoked, you pass a value to the parameter. This value is referred to as actual parameter or argument. The parameter list refers to the type, order, and number of the parameters of a function. Parameters are optional; that is, a function may contain no parameters.

· Function Body: The function body contains a collection of statements that define what the function does.