C Syntax of function prototype

C Syntax of Function Prototype

In C, a function prototype is a declaration that specifies the function's name, return type, and the types of its parameters. It is used to inform the compiler about the existence and signature of a function before it is called. The syntax of a function prototype in C is as follows:

return_type function_name(parameter_list);

Let's break down each component of the function prototype syntax:

• return_type: This is the data type of the value that the function returns. It can be any valid C data type, such as int, float, char, or a user-defined data type. If the function does not return a value, the return type is void.

• function_name: This is the name of the function. It should be a valid identifier and follow the naming conventions of C.

• parameter_list: This is a comma-separated list of parameters that the function accepts. Each parameter consists of a data type followed by a parameter name. If the function does not accept any parameters, the parameter list is left empty or specified as void.

Here's an example of a function prototype in C:

int add(int a, int b);

In this example, the function name is add, the return type is int, and the function accepts two parameters of type int named a and b.

It's important to note that a function prototype is not the same as a function definition. A function prototype only declares the function's signature, while the function definition provides the actual implementation of the function.