Scribd
Upload
104 views

PowerPoint Slides To Chapter 08

Uploaded by

Shreya Dwivedi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
104 views

PowerPoint Slides To Chapter 08

Uploaded by

Shreya Dwivedi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Program Structure

Chapter 8
Introduction
• Concerned with the structure of programs having more
than one function
• Two different ways to characterise variables:
– Data type refers to the type of information represented by a variable,
e.g. integer number, floating-point number, character, etc.
– Storage class refers to the permanence of a variable and its scope
within the program

Scope  Portion of the program over which a variable is recognised

Types of Storage Classes and Keywords to Identify


Automatic (keyword auto) External (keyword extern)
Static (keyword static) Register (keyword register)
Automatic Variables
• Always declared within a function and their scope is
confined to that function
• These variables defined in different functions will,
therefore, be independent of one another, even though they
may have the same name (not good programming practice)
• Default declaration (variables discussed till now are
automatic variables)
• Need not include the auto keyword
• Can be assigned initial values by including appropriate
expressions within variable declaration or by explicit
assignment expression selsewhere in the function
• Does not retain its value once control is transferred out of
its defining function
• Scope can be smaller than the entire function ( if declared
within a single compound statement)
External (Global) Variables
• Are not confined to a single function
• Scope extends from the point of the definition through the
remainder of the program; hence, called global variables
• Provide the convenient mechanism for transferring
information back and forth between functions
• Can be assigned initial values as a part of variable
definition, but initial values must be expressed as constants
rather then expressions
– These initial values will be assigned only once, at the beginning of the
program. External values will retain these initial values unless they are
later altered during program execution.
• If initial value not assigned then 0 value is assigned
automatically
• Arrays can be declared as external variables or automatic,
but automatic arrays cannot be initialized
• One must distinguish between external-variable definition and
external-variable declaration
Static Variables
• Defined in a single-file program (discussed next) within
individual functions and, therefore, have the same scope as
automatic variables ( cannot be accessed outside their
definition)
– The variable declaration must begin with the static storage–class
designation
• Retain their values throughout the life of the program
• If defined by the same name as automatic variable then the
local variables will take precedence over the external variable,
– though the value of the external variable will be unaffected by any manipulation
of the local variable
– External variables maintain their independence from locally defined variables
and static variables
• Initial values can be included with the same rules as that of
external variables
Multi-File Programs
• A file is a collection of information stored as a separate
entity within the storage (primary or secondary) storage
device
• Till now programs considered were single-file programs;
however, C programs are also composed of multiple files
• Allow greater flexibility in defining the scope of both
functions and variables
• Rules are more complicated
Functions
• Function definition may be either external or static
– External functions will be recognized throughout the entire program
– Static functions are recognized only within the files in which they are defined
• Storage class is established by placing appropriate storage-
class designation at the beginning of the function definition
– Else the function is assumed external if a storage-class definition does not
appear
Functions

• A function can be defined in one file and accessed in other;


the later file must include a function defined.
• To execute a multi-file program, each individual file must be
compiled and resulting object files linked together.
– To do so, combine the source files within a project.
• If a file contains a static function, it may be necessary to
include the storage class static within the function declared
or the function prototype.
Variables
• External variables can be defined in one file and
accessed in another.
• To access such variables, the variables must to
declared within another file also,
– usually placed at the beginning of the file, ahead of the first
function; definition difference here also.
• Values assigned to an external variable may be altered
within any file in which the variable is recognized,
– Such changes will be recognized in all other files that fall within the
scope of the variable.
• Within a file, an external variable can be defined as
static.

You might also like