Thread: Functions, Prototypes, Questions

main()
{
int wid = 5, len = 6;
cout << area ( wid, len);
}

when the code reaches the word 'area' it jumps into the area function, taking with it 2 variables - wid and len (actually they are copied into new variables). Now the area function returns the value of wid*len which is put into the output stream, and control returns to main()

That probably not very clear, and it may not even be what you want.

well, basically, what functions are for are if the program needs to do something more than once or so, then the function is nice. it allows for the program to do the selected task, in this case, return the area. if main needs to call it, say 5 times, then the function allows you to only write the formula for area once. you need to send the area function parameters so it could do its job, hence the line.

area(wid, len);

return 0; - usually used when you have a function that returns anything but void, you need return in the function. i believe this line is for error checking, although im not sure (I'm probably wrong).

void function();
this is helpful when you have a function that all it needs to do is do something without giving an answer back to main.

endl (by the way, probably a typo, but it is not end1)
a (function) in iostream.h that lets you cout to another line, and i believe this also flushes the buffer.
to start a new line \n could be used, but it doesn't flush the buffer.

i hope this helps...correct me if i'm wrong though...