Declaring a function in C

[IAMTubby]

Hi,
I'm really confused about the need for declaring a function in C.

When I write(define) a function of this type

int fun(int, int, ...); or
void fun(int, int..)

there is no need for any declaration. Direct definition would do.

But the moment, the return type/ any of the arguments is not void/int, it gives me an error message indicating the need for declaration. For example

int fun(float a)
{
 printf("\nFloat value = %f",a);
}

This function needs a declaration like

int fun(float);

Why is this ?
Thanks

PS : Throughout the post, I am talking about definitions after main. If definitions were written before main, there is no need for any declarations,right. Just a disclaimer.

[muteXe]

why are you declaring anything after main()?

[IAMTubby]

Didn't get you on that one.
No, I am not declaring anything after main.

[ofnuts]

Why is this ?

If only because this lets the compiler check tat you are calling functions properly and getting their results the right way?

'Int' used to be a default in early C.

Btw the way, if you declare a function thus:

int fun(float a)

Then it should contain:

return some_int_value;

[codemaniac]

Function prototypes are essential in a C program .

See the "Uses" section in the below link .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_prototype

[IAMTubby]

Okay. So can we conlude that the default return type is 'int' or 'void' and the arguments are also 'int' or 'void' ?

[spjackson]

Okay. So can we conlude that the default return type is 'int' or 'void' and the arguments are also 'int' or 'void' ?

It depends which dialect of C you are talking about. There are 3 main language definitions in use to day.

1. Original K&R (from 1970 to 1986 approx).
2. C89/C90 based on ANSI C 1986.
3. C99 The current C standard.

In K&R C, the default return type is int and parameters default to int. There is no void keyword. In C99, both implicit int and implicit function declarations are removed. C90 is somewhere in between!

If you declare function prototypes before use, declare return types and parameter types, then you won't go far wrong whichever standard you are working to, with the caveat that void might not work with the most ancient of compilers.

What are you using as a reference for learning C?

[Bachstelze]

Post. Your. Code.

Declaring functions before use is always desirable but not always required.

[IAMTubby]

It depends which dialect of C you are talking about. There are 3 main language definitions in use to day.

1. Original K&R (from 1970 to 1986 approx).
2. C89/C90 based on ANSI C 1986.
3. C99 The current C standard.

In K&R C, the default return type is int and parameters default to int. There is no void keyword. In C99, both implicit int and implicit function declarations are removed. C90 is somewhere in between!

If you declare function prototypes before use, declare return types and parameter types, then you won't go far wrong whichever standard you are working to, with the caveat that void might not work with the most ancient of compilers.

What are you using as a reference for learning C?

Hmm, not really using a fixed reference. sorry!
But I'm using gcc as my compiler ? Is that enough information to figure out which C I'm using ?

[muteXe]

lol he really doesn't want to post his code does he?