CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

UNIT III FUNCTIONS AND POINTERS 9

Introduction to functions: Function prototype, function definition, function call, Built-in
functions (string functions, math functions) – Recursion – Example Program: Computation of
Sine series, Scientific calculator using built-in functions, Binary Search using recursive
functions – Pointers – Pointer operators – Pointer arithmetic – Arrays and pointers – Array of
pointers – Example Program: Sorting of names – Parameter passing: Pass by value, Pass by
reference – Example Program: Swapping of two numbers and changing the value of a
variable using pass by reference

4.1 Functions
A function is a subprogram of one or more statements that performs a specific task
when called.
Advantages of Functions:
1. Code reusability
2. Better readability
3. Reduction in code redundancy
4. Easy to debug & test.
Classification of functions:
 Based on who develops the function
 Based on the number of arguments a function accepts
1. Based on who develops the function
There are two types.
1. Library functions
2. User-defined functions
1. Library functions [Built-in functions]
Library functions are predefined functions. These functions are already developed by
someone and are available to the user for use. Ex. printf( ), scanf( ).
2. User-defined functions
User-defined functions are defined by the user at the time of writing a program. Ex.
sum( ), square( )

4.2 Declaration of Function ( Function prototype)

All the function need to be declared before they are used. (i.e. called)
General form:
returntype functionname (parameter list or parameter type list);

a) Return type – data type of return value. It can be int, float, double, char, void etc.
b) Function name – name of the function
c) Parameter type list –It is a comma separated list of parameter types. Parameter names
are optional.
Ex: int add(int, int);
or
int add(int x, int y);

Function declaration must be terminated with a semicolon(;).

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4.3 FUNCTION DEFINITION

It is also known as function implementation. Every function definition consists of 2
parts:
1. Header of the function
2. Body of the function

1. Header of the function

General form:
returntype functionname (parameter list)

1. The header of the function is not terminated with a semicolon.

2. The return type and the number & types of parameters must be same in both function
header & function declaration.

2. Body of the function

 It consists of a set of statements enclosed within curly braces.
 The return statement is used to return the result of the called function to the
calling function.

General form of Function Definition

returntype functionname (parameter list)

statements;

return (value);

}
4.4 FUNCTION CALL:
 A function can be called by using its name & actual parameters.
 It should be terminated by a semicolon ( ; ).
4.4.1. Working of a function
void main()
{
int x,y,z;
int abc(int, int, int) // Function declaration
…..
…..
abc(x,y,z) // Function Call
… Actual arguments
…
}

int abc(int i, int j, int k) // Function definition

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{ Formal arguments
…….
….
return (value);
}

Calling function – The function that calls a function is known as a calling function.
Called function – The function that has been called is known as a called function.
Actual arguments – The arguments of the calling function are called as actual arguments.
Formal arguments – The arguments of called function are called as formal arguments.

Steps for function Execution:

1. After the execution of the function call statement, the program control is transferred
to the called function.
2. The execution of the calling function is suspended and the called function starts
execution.
3. After the execution of the called function, the program control returns to the calling
function and the calling function resumes its execution.
FUNCTION PROTOTYPES:
4.4.2. Classification of Function based on arguments (Function Invocation)
Depending upon their inputs and outputs, functions are classified into:
1. Function with no input and output or (With no arguments and no return values)
2. Function with inputs and no output or (With arguments and no return values)
3. Function with input and one output or (With arguments and one return value)
4. Function with input and outputs or (With arguments and more than one return
values)
1. Function with no input and output
 This function doesn’t accept any input and doesn’t return any result.
 These are not flexible.
Example program:

#include<stdio.h>
void main()
{
void show( );
show( );
} No arguments are passed.
No values are sent back.

void show( )
{
printf(“Hai \n”);
}

Output:
Hai

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2. Function with inputs and no output

Arguments are passed through the calling function. The called function operates on the
values but no result is sent back.
Example program:
#include<stdio.h>
void main()
{
int a;
void show( );
printf(“Enter the value for a \n”);
scanf(“%d”, &a);
show(a);
} Arguments are passed.
No values are sent back.

void show(int x)
{
printf(“Value =%d”, x);
}
Output:
Enter the value for a
10
Value = 10

3. Function with input and one output

 Arguments are passed through the calling function i.e.) the actual argument is
copied to the formal argument.
 The called function operates on the values.
 The result is returned back to the calling function.
 Here data is transferred between calling function and called function.
 A function can return only one value. We can’t return more than one value by
writing multiple return statements.
Example program:
#include<stdio.h>
void main()
{
int r;
float area;
float circlearea(int);
printf(“Enter the radius \n”);
scanf(“%d”,&r);
area=circlearea(r);
printf(“Area of a circle =%d\n”, area);
} Arguments are passed
int circlearea(int r1) Result is sent back
{
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return 3.14 * r1 * r1;

}
Output:
Enter the radius
2
Area of circle = 12.000
4. Function with input and outputs
More than one value can be indirectly returned to the calling function by making use of
pointers.
E.g. Program:
Call by reference program
4.4.3 Pass by value & Pass by reference
Argument passing methods in ‘C’ are,
1. Pass by value
2. Pass by reference

1. Pass by value
 In this method the values of actual arguments are copied to formal arguments.
 Any change made in the formal arguments does not affect the actual arguments.
 Once control, return backs to the calling function the formal parameters are
destroyed.

E.g. Program:

#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int a,b;
void swap(int ,int);
a=10;
b=20;
printf("\n Before swapping: a = %d and b = %d",a,b);
swap(a, b);
printf("\n After swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
getch();
}

void swap(int a1,int b1)

{
int temp;
temp=a1;
a1=b1;
b1=temp;
}

OUTPUT:

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Before swapping: a =10 and b =20

After swapping: a =10 and b = 20

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Main function
a b
10 20

1000 1002
Swap function
a1 b1

10 20

2000 2002
After swap function
a1 b1
20 10

2000 2002

2. Pass by reference
 In this method, the addresses of the actual arguments are passed to formal argument.
 Thus formal arguments points to the actual arguments.
 So changes made in the arguments are permanent.

Example Program:

#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int a,b;
void swap(int *,int *);
a=10;
b=20;
printf("\n Before swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
swap(&a,&b);
printf("\n After swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
getch();
}
void swap(int *a1,int *b1)
{
int t;
t = *a1;
*a1 = *b1;
*b1 = t;
}

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OUTPUT:
Before swapping: a = 10 and b = 20
After swapping: a = 20 and b = 10

Main function
a b
10 20

1000 1002
Swap function
a1 b1

1000 1002
a1, b1 points to a and b.

2000 2002
After swap function
a b
20 10

1000 1002
4.5. Built in Functions(String Functions, Math Functions):
Library functions are predefined functions. These functions are already developed by
someone and are available to the user for use.
Declaration:
The declarations of library functions are available in the respective header files. To use
a library function, the corresponding header file must be included.
Library of Mathematical functions.
These are defined in math.h header file.
Example:
1 double cos(double x)- Returns the cosine of a radian angle x
2 double sin(double x)- Returns the sine of a radian angle x.
3 double exp(double x)- Returns the value of e raised to the xth power
double log(double x)
4
Returns the natural logarithm (base-e logarithm) of x.
double sqrt(double x)
5
Returns the square root of x.
double pow(double x, double y)
6
Returns x raised to the power of y.

Library of standard input & output functions

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Header file: stdio.h

Example:
This function is used to print the character, string, float, integer, octal
1 printf()
and hexadecimal values onto the output screen
This function is used to read a character, string, and numeric data from
2 scanf()
keyboard.
3 getc() It reads character from file
4 gets() It reads line from keyboard

Library of String functions:

Header file: string.h
Example:
Functions Descriptions
strlen() Determines the length of a String
strcpy() Copies a String from source to destination
strcmp() Compares two strings
strlwr() Converts uppercase characters to lowercase
strupr() Converts lowercase characters to uppercase

String Operations:(Length, Compare, Concatenate, Copy):

Definition:
The group of characters, digits, & symbols enclosed within double quotes is
called as Strings. Every string is terminated with the NULL (‘\0’) character.
E.g. “INDIA” is a string. Each character of string occupies 1 byte of memory. The last
character is always ‘\0’.
Declaration:
String is always declared as character arrays.
Syntax
char stringname[size];

E.g. char a[20];

Initialization:
We can use 2 ways for initializing.
1. By using string constant
E.g. char str[6]= “Hello”;
2. By using initialisation list
E.g. char str[6]={‘H’, ‘e’, ‘l’, ;l’, ;o’, ‘\0’};
String Operations or String Functions
These functions are defined in string.h header file.
1. strlen() function
It is used to find the length of a string. The terminating character (‘\0’) is not
counted.
Syntax
temp_variable = strlen(string_name);

E.g.
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s= “hai”;
strlen(s)-> returns the length of string s i.e. 3.
2. strcpy() function
It copies the source string to the destination string
Syntax
strcpy(destination,source);

E.g.
s1=“hai”;
s2= “welcome”;
strcpy(s1,s2); -> s2 is copied to s1. i.e. s1=welcome.
3. strcat() function
It concatenates a second string to the end of the first string.
Syntax

strcat(firststring, secondstring);

E.g.
s1=“hai ”;
s2= “welcome”;
strcat(s1,s2); -> s2 is joined with s1. Now s1 is hai welcome.
E.g. Program:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
void main ()
{
char str1[20] = "Hello";
char str2[20] = "World";
char str3[20];
int len ;
strcpy(str3, str1);
printf("Copied String= %s\n", str3 );
strcat( str1, str2);
printf("Concatenated String is= %s\n", str1 );
len = strlen(str1);
printf("Length of string str1 is= %d\n", len );
return 0;
}
Output:
Copied String=Hello
Concatenated String is=HelloWorld
Length of string str1is 10
4. strcmp() function
It is used to compare 2 strings.
Syntax
temp_varaible=strcmp(string1,
string2);
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 If the first string is greater than the second string a positive number is returned.
 If the first string is less than the second string a negative number is returned.
 If the first and the second string are equal 0 is returned.
5. strlwr() function
It converts all the uppercase characters in that string to lowercase
characters.
Syntax
strlwr(string_name);

E.g.
str[10]= “HELLO”;
strlwr(str);
puts(str);
Output: hello

6. strupr() function
It converts all the lowercase characters in that string to uppercase
characters.
Syntax
strupr(string_name);

E.g.
str[10]= “HEllo”;
strupr(str);
puts(str);
Output: HELLO
7. strrev() function
It is used to reverse the string.
Syntax
strrev(string_name);

E.g.
str[10]= “HELLO”;
strrev(str);
puts(str);
Output: OLLEH
String functions

Functions Descriptions
strlen() Determines the length of a String
strcpy() Copies a String from source to destination
strcmp() Compares two strings
strlwr() Converts uppercase characters to lowercase
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strupr() Converts lowercase characters to uppercase

strdup() Duplicates a String
strstr() Determines the first occurrence of a given String in another string
strcat() Appends source string to destination string
strrev() Reverses all characters of a string

Example: String Comparison

void main()
{
char s1[20],s2[20];
int val;
printf(“Enter String 1\n”);
gets(s1);
printf(“Enter String 2\n”);
gets (s2);
val=strcmp(s1,s2);
if (val==0)
printf(“Two Strings are equal”);
else
printf(“Two Strings are not equal”);
getch();
}
Output:
Enter String 1
Computer
Enter String 2
Programming
Two Strings are not equal
String Arrays
They are used to store multiple strings. 2-D char array is used for string arrays.

Declaration
char arrayname[rowsize][colsize];
E.g.
char s[2][30];
Here, s can store 2 strings of maximum 30 characters each.
Initialization
2 ways
1. Using string constants
char s[2][20]={“Ram”, “Sam”};
2. Using initialization list.
char s[2][20]={ {‘R’, ‘a’, ‘m’, ‘\0’},
{‘S’, ‘a’, ‘m’, ‘\0’}};
E.g. Program
#include<stdio.h>
void main()
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{
int i;
char s[3][20];
printf(“Enter Names\n”);
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
scanf(“%s”, s[i]);
printf(“Student Names\n”);
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
printf(“%s”, s[i]);
}
4.5 RECURSION
A function that calls itself is known as a recursive function.
Direct & Indirect Recursion:
Direct Recursion:
A function is directly recursive if it calls itself.
A( )
{
….
….
A( );// call to itself
….
}
Indirect Recursion:
Function calls another function, which in turn calls the original function.
A( )
{
…
…
B( );
…
}
B( )
{
…
…
A( );// function B calls A
…
}

Consider the calculation of 6! ( 6 factorial )

ie 6! = 6 * 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1
6! = 6 * 5!
6! = 6 * ( 6 - 1 )!
n! = n * ( n - 1 )!
E.g. Program:
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>

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void main()
{
int fact(int);
int n,f;
printf(“Enter the number \n”);
scanf(“%d”,&n);
f=fact(n);
printf(“The factorial of a number =%d”,f);
getch();
}
int fact(int n)
{
if(n==1)
return(1);
else
return n*fact(n-1);
}
OUTPUT
Enter the number to find the factorial
5
The factorial of a number=120
Pattern of Recursive Calls:
Based on the number of recursive calls, the recursion is classified in to 3 types. They
are,
1. Linear Recursion
Makes only one recursive call.
2. Binary Recursion
Calls itself twice.
3. N-ary recursion
Calls itself n times.
4.6EXAMPLE PROGRAM:
COMPUTATION OF SINE SERIES:
program:
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int i, n;
float x, sum, t;
clrscr();
printf(" Enter the value for x : ");
scanf("%f",&x);
printf(" Enter the value for n : ");
scanf("%d",&n);
x=x*3.14159/180;
t=x;
sum=x;

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/* Loop to calculate the value of Sine */

for(i=1;i<=n;i++)
{
t=(t*(-1)*x*x)/(2*i*(2*i+1));
sum=sum+t;
}

printf(" The value of Sin(%f) = %.4f",x,sum);

getch();
}
OUTPUT:
Enter the value for x :45
Enter the value for n: 5
The value of Sin(0.7853980 = 0.7071

SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR USING BUILT-IN FUNCTIONS:

Program:
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
#include<math.h>
int main(void)
{
int choice, i, a, b;
float x, y, result;
clrscr();
do {
printf(“\nSelect your operation (0 to exit):\n”);
printf(“1. Addition\n2. Subtraction\n3. Multiplication\n4. Division\n”);
printf(“5. Square root\n6. X ^ Y\n7. X ^ 2\n8. X ^ 3\n”);
printf(“9. %\n110. log10(x)\n);
printf(“Choice: “);
scanf(“%d”, &choice);
if(choice == 0) exit(0);
switch(choice) {
case 1:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
printf(“\nEnter Y: “);
scanf(“%f”, &y);
result = x + y;
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 2:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
printf(“\nEnter Y: “);
scanf(“%f”, &y);
result = x – y;
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
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break;

case 3:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
printf(“\nEnter Y: “);
scanf(“%f”, &y);
result = x * y;
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 4:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
printf(“\nEnter Y: “);
scanf(“%f”, &y);
result = x / y;
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 5:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
result = sqrt(x);
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 6:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
printf(“\nEnter Y: “);
scanf(“%f”, &y);
result = pow(x, y);
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 7:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
result = pow(x, 2);
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 8:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
result = pow(x, 3);
printf(“\nResult: %f”, result);
break;
case 9:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
printf(“\nEnter Y: “);
scanf(“%f”, &y);

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result = (x * y) / 100;
printf(“\nResult: %.2f”, result);
break;
case 10:
printf(“Enter X: “);
scanf(“%f”, &x);
result = log10(x);
printf(“\nResult: %.2f”, result);
break;
}
} while(choice);
getch();
return 0;
}
BINARY SEARCH USING RECURSIVE FUNCTIONS:
Program:
#include <stdio.h>
int RecursiveBinarySearching(int arr[], int low, int high, int element)
{
int middle;
if(low > high)
{
return -1;
}
middle = (low + high) / 2;
if(element > arr[middle])
{
RecursiveBinarySearching(arr, middle + 1, high, element);
}
else if(element < arr[middle])
{
RecursiveBinarySearching(arr, low, middle - 1, element);
}
else
{
return middle;
}
}

int main()
{
int count, element, limit, arr[50], position;
printf("\nEnter the Limit of Elements in Array:\t");
scanf("%d", &limit);
printf("\nEnter %d Elements in Array: \n", limit);
for(count = 0; count < limit; count++)
{
scanf("%d", &arr[count]);
}
printf("\nEnter Element To Search:\t");
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scanf("%d", &element);
position = RecursiveBinarySearching(arr, 0, limit - 1, element);
if(position == -1)
{
printf("\nElement %d Not Found\n", element);
}
else
{
printf("\nElement %d Found at Position %d\n", element, position + 1);
}
return 0;
}
Output:
Enter the Limit of Elements in Array: 5
Enter 5 Elements in Array:
12345
Enter Element To Search:3
Element 3 Found at Position 3
4.7. POINTERS
Definition:
A pointer is a variable that stores the address of a variable or a function
Advantages
1. Pointers save memory space
2. Faster execution
3. Memory is accessed efficiently.
Declaration
datatype *pointername;

E.g ) int *p //p is an pointer to an int

float *fp //fp is a pointer to a float

int a=10; p a
int *p=&a;
2000 10
4000 2000
p is an integer pointer & holds the address of an int variable a.

Pointer to pointer
A pointer that holds the address of another pointer variable is known as a pointer to
pointer.
E.g.
int **p;

p is a pointer to a pointer to an integer.

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int a=12;
int *p=&a; a
int **pptr=&p;
12
p 4000 4000

6000

6000 pptr
8000
So **pptr=12

Operations on pointers:

1. Referencing operation: A pointer variable is made to refer to an object. Reference

operator(&) is used for this. Reference operator is also known as address of (&)
operator.

Eg) float a=12.5;

float *p;
p=&a;

a 12.5

1000 1000
P
2000

2. Dereferencing a pointer
The object referenced by a pointer can be indirectly accessed by dereferencing
the pointer. Dereferencing operator (*) is used for this .This operator is also known as
indirection operator or value- at-operator

Eg) int b;
int a=12;
a 12 int *p;
1000 p=&a;
b=*p; \\value pointed by p(or)value
1000 at 1000=12,
p so b=12
2000 Note
Example program
%p is used for addresses; %u can
#include<stdio.h>
also be used.
void main()
{
*p=value at p
int a=12;
=value at (1000)=12
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*pptr=value at(pptr)
=value at(value at (2000))
=value at (1000)=12
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int *p;
int **pptr;
p=&a;
pptr=&p;
printf(“a value=%d”,a);
printf(“value by dereferencing p is %d \n”,*p);
printf(“value by dereferencing pptr is %d \n”,**pptr);
printf(“value of p is %u \n”,p);
printf(“value of pptr is %u\n”,pptr);
}
Output:
a value=12
value by dereferencing p is 12
value by dereferencing pptr is 12
value of p is 1000
value of pptr is 2000

a 12

1000 p 1000

2000 pptr 2000

3000
4.8. Initialization
1. Pointer can be assigned or initialized with the address of an object.
Eg) int a=10;
int *p=&a;

2. A pointer to one type cannot be initialized with the address of other type object.
Eg) int a=10;
float *p;
p=&a; //not possible
Because p is a float pointer so it can’t point int data.

4.9. Pointers Arithmetic

Arithmetic operations on pointer variables are also possible.
E.g.) Addition, Increment, Subtraction, Decrement.

1. Addition
(i) An addition of int type can be added to an expression of pointer type. The result
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is pointer type.(or)A pointer and an int can be added.

Eg) if p is a pointer to an object then

p+1 =>points to next object
p+i=>point s to ith object after p

(ii)Addition of 2 pointers is not allowed.

2. Increment
Increment operator can be applied to an operand of pointer type.
3. Decrement
Decrement operator can be applied to an operand of pointer type.
4. Subtraction
i) A pointer and an int can be subtracted.
ii) 2 pointers can also be subtracted.

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S.no Operator Type of Type of Result Example Initial Final Description

operand 1 operand 2 type value value
1 + Pointer to int Pointer Result = initial
type T to type value of ptr
T +int operand *
sizeof (T)

Eg. int * int int * p=p+5 p=2000 2010 2000+5*2=

2010
2 ++ Pointer to Pointer Post
type T - to type increment
T Result = initial
value of
pointer

Pre-increment
Result = initial
value of
pointer +
sizeof (T)

Eg. post float* - float* ftr=p++ ftr=? ftr=2000 Value of ptr =

increment p=2000 p=2004 Value of ptr
+sizeof(T)
3 - Pointer to int Pointer Result = initial
type T to type value of ptr -
T int operand *
sizeof (T)
E.g. float* int float* p=p-1 p=2000 1996 2000 – 1 * 4 =
2000-4=1996

4 -- Pointer to Pointer Post

type T - to type decrement
T Result = initial
value of
pointer

Pre-
decrement
Result = initial
value of
pointer –
sizeof(T)
Eg.pre float* - float* ftr=--p ftr=? ftr=1996
decrement p=2000 p=1996 Value of ptr =
Value of ptr –
sizeof(T)

M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.

 CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

4.10. Pointers and Arrays

In C language, pointers and arrays are so closely related.
i) An array name itself is an address or pointer. It points to the address of first element
th
(0 element) of an array.
Example
#include<stdio.h>
void main()
{
int a[3]={10,15,20};
printf(“First element of array is at %u\n”, a);
printf(“2nd element of array is at %u\n”, a+1); 10 15 20
nd
printf(“3 element of array is at %u\n”, a+2);
1000 1002 1004
}
Output
First element of array is at 1000
2nd element of array is at 1002
3nd element of array is at 1004
ii)Any operation that involves array subscripting is done by using pointers in c
language.
E.g.) E1[E2]=>*(E1+E2)
Example
#include<stdio.h>
void main()
{
int a[3]={10,15,20};
printf(“Elements are %d %d %d\n”, a[0],a[1],a[2]);
printf(“Elements are %d %d %d\n”, *(a+0),*(a+1),*(a+2);
}
Output:
Elements are 10 15 20
Elements are 10 15 20
Array of pointers
An array of pointers is a collection of addresses. Pointers in an array must be the same
type.
int a=10,b=20,c=30;
int *b[3]={&a,&b,&c};
a b c

10 20 30

4000 4100 4400

b 4000 4100 4400

M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.

 CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

5000 5002 5004

Example Programs:
Sorting of Names:
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
static int myCompare (const void * a, const void * b)
{
return strcmp (*(const char **) a, *(const char **) b);
}
void sort(const char *arr[], int n)
{
qsort (arr, n, sizeof (const char *), myCompare);
}
int main ()
{
const char *arr[] = {"GeeksforGeeks", "GeeksQuiz", "CLanguage"};
int n = sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]);
int i;
printf("Given array is\n");
for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
printf("%d: %s \n", i, arr[i]);
sort(arr, n);
printf("\nSorted array is\n");
for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
printf("%d: %s \n", i, arr[i]);
return 0;
}

Output:
Given array is
0: GeeksforGeeks
1: GeeksQuiz
2: CLanguage

Sorted array is
0: CLanguage
1: GeeksQuiz
2: GeeksforGeekss

4.11.PARAMETER PASSING:
Function with input and outputs
More than one value can be indirectly returned to the calling function by making use of
pointers.
E.g. Program:
Call by reference program
4.11.1 Pass by value & Pass by reference
Argument passing methods in ‘C’ are,
3. Pass by value

M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.

 CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

4. Pass by reference

2. Pass by value
 In this method the values of actual arguments are copied to formal arguments.
 Any change made in the formal arguments does not affect the actual arguments.
 Once control, return backs to the calling function the formal parameters are
destroyed.

E.g. Program:

#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int a,b;
void swap(int ,int);
a=10;
b=20;
printf("\n Before swapping: a = %d and b = %d",a,b);
swap(a, b);
printf("\n After swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
getch();
}

void swap(int a1,int b1)

{
int temp;
temp=a1;
a1=b1;
b1=temp;
}

OUTPUT:
Before swapping: a =10 and b =20
After swapping: a =10 and b = 20

M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.

 CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

Main function
a b
10 20

1000 1002
Swap function
a1 b1

10 20

2000 2002
After swap function
a1 b1
20 10

2000 2002

2. Pass by reference
 In this method, the addresses of the actual arguments are passed to formal argument.
 Thus formal arguments points to the actual arguments.
 So changes made in the arguments are permanent.

Example Program:

#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int a,b;
void swap(int *,int *);
a=10;
b=20;
printf("\n Before swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
swap(&a,&b);
printf("\n After swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
getch();
}
void swap(int *a1,int *b1)
{
int t;
t = *a1;
*a1 = *b1;
*b1 = t;
}

M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.

 CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

OUTPUT:
Before swapping: a = 10 and b = 20
After swapping: a = 20 and b = 10

Main function
a b
10 20

1000 1002
Swap function
a1 b1

1000 1002
a1, b1 points to a and b.

2000 2002
After swap function
a b
20 10

1000 1002
Pass by Value Pass by Reference

Values of the Actual arguments are Passed to Addresses of the Actual arguments are passed to
the Formal Arguments. the Formal Arguments.

Different Memory Locations are Occupied Same memory Locations are Occupied.

There is no Possibility of Wrong Data . There is a Possibility of Wrong Data Manipulations.

Manipulations

In this, you are sending a copy of the data. In this, you are passing the memory address of the
data that is stored.

Changes does not affect the actual value. Changes to the value affect the original data.

4.12.EXAMPLE PROGRAM: SWAPPING OF TWO NUMBERS

Pass by Value:
E.g. Program:
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int a,b;
void swap(int ,int);
a=10;
b=20;
printf("\n Before swapping: a = %d and b = %d",a,b);
M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.
 CS8151 – CS – Unit 3

swap(a, b);
printf("\n After swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
getch();
}

void swap(int a1,int b1)

{
int temp;
temp=a1;
a1=b1;
b1=temp;
}

OUTPUT:
Before swapping: a =10 and b =20
After swapping: a =10 and b = 20

4.13.EXAMPLE PROGRAM:CHANGING THE VALUE OF A VARIABLE USING PASS BY

REFERENCE

Pass by Reference:
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main()
{
int a,b;
void swap(int *,int *);
a=10;
b=20;
printf("\n Before swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
swap(&a,&b);
printf("\n After swapping: a= %d and b= %d",a,b);
getch();
}
void swap(int *a1,int *b1)
{
int t;
t = *a1;
*a1 = *b1;
*b1 = t;
}

OUTPUT:
Before swapping: a = 10 and b = 20
After swapping: a = 20 and b = 10

M.Nasrin Farzana, National College of Engineering.