Function (computer programming)
In computer programming, a function or subroutine is a sequence of program instructions that performs a specific task, packaged as a unit. This unit can then be used in programs wherever that particular task should be performed.
— Wikipedia
So functions is sort of group of instruction to perform some elementary task. We can execute function anytime by calling it.
In different programming languages, a function may be called a routine, subprogram, subroutine, method, or procedure.
Usually function consist of these parts:
- Declaration: name, parameters (arguments) and return type
- Definition: body of function (content), this is what executed when function called (or invoked).
- Return value: function result (one or many)
A function call may also have ==side effects== such as modifying data structures in a computer memory, reading from or writing to a peripheral device, creating a file, halting the program or the machine, or even delaying the program’s execution for a specified time.
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Arguments -> | Function | -> Side effects
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