Function Pointers
As in Scheme, a function can be a parameter for another function. In Scheme, of course, all parameters are un-typed—the parameter may have one type (e.g., a number) at one time, then another type (e.g, a string) for another call, and yet another type (e.g., a function) for a third call. In C, each variable and parameter has a designated type. However, as the readings explained, the designated type can indicate a function. For example, a function might have the following signature:
void
printTable (double func (double, double))
Basic Function Pointers
-
Program
func-param.cuses a functionprintTablewith the signature above to print a table of metric equivalents.-
Save, compile, and run the program, and describe what is
printed. Also, explain the roles of the functions
toLitersandtoCentimeters, and how these functions are utilized to obtain the output. -
Function
printTableprints a table, with rows always going from 0.0 to 10.0 and the columns going from 0.0 to 10.0, based on local variablesrowStart,rowEnd,colStart, andcolEnd. In this example, however, it would make more sense for the number of pints to go from 0.0 to 7.0 (number of pints less than a gallon), and the number of inches to go from 0.0 to 11.0 (number of inches less than a foot).Replace these local variables with parameters, so that function
printTablehas the new signature:
Update the documentation to match this new signature. Be sure to think carefully about the preconditions!void printTable (double rowStart, double rowEnd, double colStart, double colEnd, double func (double, double)) -
Change the calls to
printTablein the main program to more appropriate limits for each type of table.
-
Save, compile, and run the program, and describe what is
printed. Also, explain the roles of the functions
-
Within a program to control a Scribbler 2 robot, write a function
with the following signature:
The function should move the Scribbler 2 robot 5 times using the following sequence:void boxMove (void movement (double, double))- move forward for 1 second
- call the
movementfunction with values 0.6, 1.0.
The main part of the program should call
boxMoveusing the MyroCrTurnLeftfunction as parameter and then callboxMoveagain usingrTurnRight.Why do you think the name
boxMovewas chosen? Is there a better name?
Arrays of Functions
As noted in the accompanying reading, functions as parameters provide one mechanism to take advantage of common elements within an algorithm. A second approach involves utilizing an array of functions.
Program
func-param-arrays.c
produces exactly the same output as
program func-param.c
from Step 1.
-
Copy this program to your account, compile it, and run it to check that the
output matches the output from Step 1.
-
Check that the functions
toLiters,toCentimeters, andprintTableare unchanged from Step 1. -
In the main program, note how variable
titlesis declared and initialized as an array of two strings. (In this context,char *indicatestitleswill refer to the start of strings, and[2]indicates the array will refer to the start of 2 strings.) -
In the main program, note how the
variable
conversionsrefers to an array in which each item contains the address of a function taking twodoubleparameters.
-
Check that the functions
-
Write 3 functions that cause the Scribbler 2 robot to react in different
ways (e.g., move/turn, beep, spin). Then, write a program that uses these
three functions as follows.
-
Within
main, make an array that references each of these functions. - Use a loop to execute these functions in order, and then use a second loop to execute the functions in reverse order.
-
Within
