|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You might think that the function prototype for a function that expects no arguments would look like this model:
return data type function name ( )
Alas, the use of a function prototype with no type specifiers is taken to mean that the C compiler should not check argument types or even the number of arguments appearing in function calls. Although such a function prototype is often used for functions that expect no arguments, such a function specification should be reserved, as described in the hardcopy version of this book, for functions that accept a variable number of arguments.
A clearer and safer way to specify a function prototype for a function that
expects no arguments is to include only the special symbol void in
the place normally reserved for parameter data types:
return data type function name (void)
By using such a specification, you tell the C compiler to complain if the function ever appears with one or more arguments. Nevertheless, many programmers sacrifice this benefit, using a function specification with no type specifiers, despite the inherent ambiguity.