C++ How to Program, 10/e

6.1 Introduction

In this chapter, we take a deeper look at functions. Most computer programs that solve real-world problems are much larger than the programs presented in the first few chapters of this book. Experience has shown that the best way to develop and maintain large programs is to construct them from small, simple pieces, or components. This technique is called divide and conquer.

We’ll overview a portion of the C++ Standard Library’s math functions. We’ll introduce function prototypes and discuss how the compiler uses them, if necessary, to convert the type of an argument in a function call to the type specified in a function’s parameter list.

Next, we’ll take a brief diversion into simulation techniques with random number generation ...