What is better practice between these two code snippets?

What's better practice between these two pieces of code? Basically, do you want to return values as much as possible, or declare 'more global' variables and have the function change the variable.

Option 1

Code:

---

int foo = 0;

int main() {
  aFunction();
}

void aFunction() {
  foo = someValue;
}

---

Option 2

Code:

---

int main() {
  int foo = aFunction();
}

int aFunction() {
  return someValue;
}

---

edit: holy macorel! just seconds after posting this, this post appeared on a google search. Google will probably take over the world.

Are you for real?

yes, I am for real.

C Board - Search Results

thanks whiteflags, that helped.

So, from what I gathered, returning a value as often as you can is better than modifying a global variable because it keeps things 'neater', and, when a bug does occur, it's easier to track down.

That's correct. If you really need something like a global variable, you could also use the singleton design pattern, which at least guarantees one instance of an object only, and that is, at times, important.