Computer Science Chapter 6

Passed by Value

When only a copy of an argument is passed to a function

Exit Function

When the exit function is called it causes the program to stop regardless of which function contains the call

Code Reuse

Writing the code to perform a task once, then reusing it each time you need to perform a task

Overload

You may assign the same name to multiple functions, as long as their parameter lists are different

Name

You should give each function a descriptive name. In general, the same rules apply to variables names also apply to function names

Function

A collection of statements that perform a specific task

Stub

A dummy function that is called instead of the actual function it represents

Return Type

A function can send a value to part of the program that executed it. The data of the value that is sent from the function

Called

A function is executed when it is called, when a function is called the program branches to that function and executes the statement in its body

Global Constant

A named constant that is available to every function in a program

Modular

A program that is broken up into functions that perform specific tasks

Driver

A program that tests a function by simply calling it

Parameters

Allow you to design your own function that accepts data

Reference Variable

An alias for another variable, any changes made to the reference variable are actually performed on the variable for which it is an alias

Function Prototypes

Eliminates the need to place a function definition before all calls to the function

Lifetime of Local Variable

Function's of local variables exist only while the function is executing

Void Functions

Functions that perform one or more statements and then terminate

Value-Returning Functions

Functions that return a value

Shadow Variable

Global Variables or constant's name is hidden by the name of the local or parameter variable

Default Arguments

Passed to the parameter when the actual argument is left out of the function call

Function Definition Contains

Return type, Name, Parameter list, Body

Body

The body of a function is the set of statements that perform the function's operation. They are enclosed in a set of braces

Function Signature

The name of the function and the data types of the function's parameters in the proper order

Arguments

Values sent into a function

Local Variables

Variables that are defined inside a functions

Passed by Reference

When a reference parameter is used it is said that the argument is