In programming, a declaration of a function to the compiler indicating what types of parameters are passed to it and what value is returned. The compiler can then report an error if a function within the program is not written to conform to the prototype. See function.
The following C example is the simplest prototype. The function displays "Hello World" on screen without receiving any parameters or returning any values to the calling instruction. "Void" means "nothing."
Prototypes can be much more complicated as in this C example where five parameters are passed to a graphics function.
The following C example is the simplest prototype. The function displays "Hello World" on screen without receiving any parameters or returning any values to the calling instruction. "Void" means "nothing."
Prototype
void printHelloWorld(void);
Function
void printHelloWorld(void)
{
printf ("Hello Worldn");
}
Prototypes can be much more complicated as in this C example where five parameters are passed to a graphics function.
void DrawTransparentBitmap(HDC hdc,
HBITMAP hBitmap,
int xStart,
int yStart,
COLORREF cTransparentColor);
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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