3.12. Functions with Multiple ParametersΒΆ

The syntax for declaring and invoking functions with multiple parameters is a common source of errors. First, remember that you have to declare the type of every parameter. For example

void print_time (int hour, int minute) {
  std::cout << hour << ':' << minute;
}

It might be tempting to write (int hour, minute), but that format is only legal for variable declarations, not for parameters.

Another common source of confusion is that you do not have to declare the types of arguments when calling a function. The following is wrong!

int hour = 11;
int minute = 59;
print_time (int hour, int minute);   // WRONG!

Caution

It is unnecessary and illegal to include the type when you pass variables as arguments! The type is only needed for declaration.

In this case, the compiler is getting mixed information and won't know what to do. What is meant by print_time(int hour, int minute);

  • Is this a function call with the types included? The compiler does not need types included, it knows the types by looking at their declarations.

  • Is this a malformed declaration -- missing the return type?

Because the compiler can't tell what is intended, it stops and reports an error instead.

The correct syntax is print_time (hour, minute);.

This program shows how the dollar_amount and cent_amount arguments are passed into the print_price function.

Understanding Multiple Parameters
 1#include <iostream>
 2
 3void print_price (int dollars, int cents) {
 4    std::cout << "The price is $"
 5              << dollars << '.'
 6              << cents << "\n.";
 7}
 8
 9int main () {
10    int dollar_amount = 2;
11    int cent_amount = 92;
12    print_price (dollar_amount, cent_amount);
13    return 0;
14}

Q1

Which of the following is a correct function header (first line of a function definition)?

Q2

Which of the following is a legal function call of the function below?

void multiply_two (int num, string name) {
  int total = num * 2;
  cout << "Hi " << name << ", your total is " << total << '!' << '\n';
}

int main() {
  int x = 2;
  string phil = "Phil";
}

More to Explore