Some Function Examples In Computer Programming

Some Computer Programming Function Examples



The purpose of a function is to allow a programmer to create a block of code that can be re-used over and over again. The function is created to perform a certain task. Some functions are also used to return a value to the calling program.


A function is also considered as a procedure in some programming languages. On the other hand, functions are commonly known as any term that is being used in referring to names of code blocks. Take note that it is the C programming language which solely uses the keyword function. Functions accept restrictions, they also return values, and they are maintained on a separate location from the code of primary program. The C language uses main function as the point of entry to certain programs.


Functions can show up in a single or two locations. This is dependent on whether the function is single line or multi-line. Having a single line function means a value is returned after the performances of work (in a single line) while the multi-line function is broadened over different lines.


Perhaps, the most common example of a programming function is a mathematical function. LOG and TAN are examples of mathematical functions. The other two known functions are string functions and the date functions.


Simply defined, a programming function allows you to assign certain values where results can be calculated in a matter of seconds while saving yourself from the task of doing the computations manually.


On the declaration or calling of a function which has two or more parameters, a comma is used to separate the different parameters. One function declaration could look like this:


function print_two_strings($var1, $var2)
{
echo $var1;
echo "\n";
echo $var2;
return NULL;
}


For this function to be called, a value must be assigned to the parameters, hence:


Function call:

print_two_strings(“hi”, “guys”);


The output should look like:

hi
guys



Another good way to have active parameters is the use of PHP’s integral functions such as func get args, func get arg, and func num args functions. These functions are able to calculate arithmetic means of any values that are passed into them and an output is derived. An example:

mean(35, 43, 3);


The output is then:

Mean: 27



A programming function is usually best when it returns some value or information. Some functions do calculations, but it is also a good idea to report any errors that are encountered during a function. To return information from functions, you can use return () statement on the specified function.

An example of script for PHP is the following: