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Unit 3 Passing Parameter

The document discusses parameter passing in C programming, focusing on two main methods: Pass by Value and Pass by Reference. Pass by Value creates a copy of the variable, protecting the original data but being inefficient for large data, while Pass by Reference allows direct modification of the original variable using pointers, which is more efficient but has a more complex syntax. It also provides guidelines on when to use each method based on the need to modify data and the size of the data types involved.

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8 views9 pages

Unit 3 Passing Parameter

The document discusses parameter passing in C programming, focusing on two main methods: Pass by Value and Pass by Reference. Pass by Value creates a copy of the variable, protecting the original data but being inefficient for large data, while Pass by Reference allows direct modification of the original variable using pointers, which is more efficient but has a more complex syntax. It also provides guidelines on when to use each method based on the need to modify data and the size of the data types involved.

Uploaded by

karuppasamypandian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Course Title: Programming in C

Title of Topic: Passing Parameter


Parameter Passing
• Parameter passing refers to the method of supplying inputs
(arguments) to functions. In C programming, the two main
ways to pass parameters are:
• Pass by Value
• Pass by Reference
Pass by Value – Concept
• In Pass by Value, a copy of the actual variable is passed to the
function.
Changes made to the parameter inside the function do not
affect the original variable.
This is the default behavior in C.
Pass by Value – Example
• void update(int a) {
• a = a + 10;
• }

• int main() {
• int x = 5;
• update(x);
• printf("%d", x); // Output: 5
• }
Slide 4: Pass by Value – Pros
and Cons
• Advantages:
• Original data is protected from changes.
• Easy to read and understand.
• Disadvantages:
• Inefficient for large data (creates copies).
• Cannot return multiple results.
Pass by Reference – Concept
• In Pass by Reference, the memory address of the variable is
passed to the function using pointers.
This allows the function to modify the original variable
directly.
Pass by Reference – Example
• void update(int *a) {
• *a = *a + 10;
• }

• int main() {
• int x = 5;
• update(&x);
• printf("%d", x); // Output: 15
• }
Pass by Reference – Pros and Cons
• Advantages:
• Can modify the original data.
• More efficient for large structures (no need to create copies).
• Disadvantages:
• Syntax is more complex.
• Risk of unintended side effects if not handled carefully.
When to Use Which?
• Use Pass by Value when:
• You don’t want to modify the original data.
• Working with simple data types.
• Use Pass by Reference when:
• You want to modify data inside the function.
• Working with arrays, structures, or large data that would be
inefficient to copy.

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