Regarding Function Returning a Value.

[Iqbal_h_a]

I have a doubt on function returning a value. Consider the following program snippet.

int add(int a,int b) {
   int c=a+b;
   return;
   }
 
 int main()  {
   int a=10,b=20;
   printf("%d %d %d",a,b,add(a,b));
   return(0);
   }

The above program gives the output as
10 20 30

But the function is not returning any value. According to the K&R C, Section 4.1,

".......there need be no expression after return; in that case, no value is returned to the caller."

I will be grateful if anyone explains the logic behind this cryptic.

Thanks in advance.

[Infarction]

Your code probably shouldn't compile. add(int, int) is specified to return an int, but doesn't, which should raise a compile time error.

[Grunt]

Compile your code in strict mode. I guess it should be error. Anyways return value in C on x86 is generally eax , where the result of the last calculation often happens to be placed. Maybe that's why you are seeing this result.

[Iqbal_h_a]

Your code probably shouldn't compile. add(int, int) is specified to return an int, but doesn't, which should raise a compile time error.

You are right. When I compiled in strict mode, it thrown a compilation error. But in normal mode it doesn't and it will act exactly as Grunt's explanation.
Anyway, thank you very much for your quick reply.

[Iqbal_h_a]

Compile your code in strict mode. I guess it should be error. Anyways return value in C on x86 is generally eax , where the result of the last calculation often happens to be placed. Maybe that's why you are seeing this result.

Cool explanation and I am cleared with all my doubts and even it has thrown an error when I compiled in strict mode as you expected.
Much appreciated reply:cool: