Question 3: What specific information does the compiler need to perform a successful function call?
I figured it was just a function definition, initialized variables, and a function declaration, but I guess I was wrong.
To perform a successful function call, the compiler needs the following specific information:
1. Function Declaration: The compiler needs the function declaration, which provides important information about the function such as its name, return type, and parameter list. The declaration typically appears at the beginning of the code file or in a header file.
2. Function Definition: The function definition is the actual implementation of the function. It contains the code that defines what the function does. The compiler needs the function definition to generate the machine-level instructions when the function is called.
3. Function Prototype: A function prototype is a declaration of a function, without providing its implementation. It serves as a forward declaration and gives the compiler information about the function's name, return type, and parameter list. This is especially important when the function is defined after it is called. The function prototype helps the compiler ensure that the function is called correctly and that the types of the arguments match the function's parameter list.
4. Function Arguments: When calling a function, you need to provide the arguments that match the function's parameter list. The arguments are the values that will be passed to the function for it to work with. The compiler needs the information about the arguments to correctly map them to the parameters in the function definition.
5. Function Return Type: If the function has a return type other than void, the compiler needs to know the return type so that it can handle the return value properly. The return type can be any valid data type, such as int, float, char, or a custom-defined type.
By providing these pieces of information correctly, the compiler will be able to perform a successful function call and generate the necessary instructions to execute the function.