Chapter 5. Functions

In This Chapter

• Simple Functions 162

• Passing Arguments to Functions 167

• Returning Values from Functions 176

• Reference Arguments 182

• Overloaded Functions 188

• Recursion 193

• Inline Functions 195

• Default Arguments 197

• Scope and Storage Class 199

• Returning by Reference 206

• const Function Arguments 208

A function groups a number of program statements into a unit and gives it a name. This unit can then be invoked from other parts of the program.

The most important reason to use functions is to aid in the conceptual organization of a program. Dividing a program into functions is, as we discussed in Chapter 1, “The Big Picture,” one of the major principles of structured programming. (However, object-oriented ...

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