Library Functions in C
What are library functions?
Library functions are the built-in functions (functions provided by the system) which are stored in the library. The library is the common location where these functions are grouped together and placed.
Each function in the library performs a specific task(operation) and to make things easy for the programmer.
The library functions are prototyped and defined at the time of designing the compiler and are present in their respective header files.
Eg: The main() function, printf() function etc. are some of the commonly used functions that are the library functions in C.
* The header files are implemented in the C program using the following command,
#include<filename.h>
For eg: #include<stdio.h>, #include<conio.h> …
* If we do not use the header files, the program will throw an error.
For eg: In order to use the printf() function, <stdio.h> should be included in order to print the desired output.
Significance/ Advantages of library function
The major reason to use library functions is that they make the work of a programmer easy, the programmer can simply use the pre-existing codes available in the compiler and need not worry about declaring and defining his own code in order to perform certain basic functions.
The other advantages of using library functions are as follows:
- Flexibility
- Performance optimized
- Time-saving
- Portability and reliability
Header File Functions
Most of us are aware of various header files or library functions as they are often used while programming in C. Following is a list of commonly used library functions and the library files in which they are included:
| Header File | Meaning | Library Functions |
| <stdio.h> | Standard input-output header | printf(),scanf(),getchar(c), putchar(s) etc. |
| <conio.h> | Console input-output header | clrscr() , getch() etc. |
| <stdlib.h> | Standard library header | calloc() and malloc() |
| <math.h> | Math header (carry out mathematical calculations) | sqrt(d),pow(d1,d2) etc. |
| <string.h> | String header (performs operations on strings) | strcpy,strlen,strrev etc. |
| <ctype.h> | Character type header (carry out operations on character) | isdigit(), tolower() , toupper() etc. |
Accessing Library Function
A library function can be accessed by following the simple steps;
- Writing the function name
- Writing the list of arguments
- The arguments must be enclosed in brackets. They must be separated by commas.
- There may be no arguments (in some cases)
Eg: pow (p1,p2) → arguments enclosed in brackets and separated by commas
↓
Function name
Program 1: use of <stdio.h> header files and use of printf() and scanf() library functions
#include<stdio.h> // Use of stdio.h header
#include<stdio.h> // Use of stdio.h header
int main()
{
char name[30];
printf ("Enter your name here : "); // Use of printf() library function
scanf ("%s", name); // Use of scanf() library function
printf("The name entered was: %s\n", name);
return 0;
}
Output of the program:
Program 2: use of <math.h> header file and use of sqrt() library functions
#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>
int main()
{
float num, sq_root;
printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%f", &num);
sq_root = sqrt(num); // computes the square root of num and stores in root.
printf("Square root of %.2f = %.2f", num, sq_root);
return 0;
}
Output of the program:
