C++ Functions

Topics covered

• Purpose and benefits of functions
• Function definition syntax: return type, name, parameters, body
• void functions vs value-returning functions

Topics covered

• How to call a function from main() or another function
• Passing arguments and receiving return values
• The call stack and execution flow

Topics covered

• What a function prototype is and why it is needed
• Declaring prototypes before main()
• Forward declarations and compilation order

Topics covered

• Pass by value
• Parameters vs arguments
• Multiple parameters and data types

Topics covered

• The return statement
• Return types and type matching
• Using returned values in expressions

Topics covered

• Scope of local variables
• Global variables and their risks
• Variable shadowing

Topics covered

• The static keyword for local variables
• Persistence of static variables across function calls
• Default argument values in function definitions

Topics covered

• Reference variables and pass by reference
• Modifying arguments inside a function
• Function overloading — same name, different parameters
• How the compiler resolves overloaded calls