Menu
Quite often in ANSI C code I can see parenthesis sorrounding a single return value.
Like this:-
int foo(int x) { if (x) return (-1); else return (0); } Why use () around the return value in those cases? Any ideas? I can see no reason for that.
501
Using parentheses defensively reduces errors and, if not taken to excess, makes the code more readable. Subclause 6.5 of the C Standard defines the precedence of operation by the order of the subclauses.
So basically return is a statement with an optional expression list as an argument. Therefore parentheses are not required and only preferrable when necesary (i.e. for breaking precedences).
Return Type − A function may return a value. The return_type is the data type of the value the function returns. Some functions perform the desired operations without returning a value. In this case, the return_type is the keyword void. Function Name − This is the actual name of the function.
C++ return 0 in the main function means that the program executed successfully. return 1 in the main function means that the program does not execute successfully and there is some error.
There really isn't a reason...it's just old convention.
To save space, programmers would often do the final math in the return line instead of on it's own line and the parens ensure are mostly there to make it easier to see that it is a single statement that is returned, like this:
return (x+i*2); instead of
int y = x+i*2; return y; The parenthesis became a habit and it stuck.
160
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
