How do C/C++ functions return multiple values? (code example)

Sometimes we need to return multiple values ​​from a function, unfortunately C/C does not allow this; but we can achieve this effect through some clever methods. The following article will introduce to you the C/C method of returning multiple values ​​​​from functions. I hope it will be helpful to you. [Recommended video tutorials: C Language Tutorial, C Tutorial]

Method 1: By using Pointer:

When the function is called, pass the parameter with the address and use the pointer to change its value; in this way, the modified value becomes the original parameter.

Let’s see how to implement it through code examples.

Example: Input 2 numbers, compare the sizes and re-output

#include <stdio.h> 
void compare(int a, int b, int* add_great, int* add_small) 
{ 
    if (a > b) { 
  
        // 变量a存储在指针变量*add_great所指向的地址中
        // 变量b存储在指针变量*add_small所指向的地址中
        *add_great = a; 
        *add_small = b; 
    } 
    else { 
        *add_great = b; 
        *add_small = a; 
    } 
} 
int main() 
{ 
    int great, small, x, y; 
  
    printf("输入两个数字: \n"); 
    scanf("%d%d", &x, &y); 
  
    // 最后两个参数是通过给出内存位置的地址来传递的。
    compare(x, y, &great, &small); 
    printf("\n最大值为：%d，最小值为：%d", 
           great, small); 
  
    return 0; 
}

Output:

Method 2 : By using structure

Since structure is user defined data type; we can define a structure containing two integer variables and store larger and smaller values ​​into these variables , and then use the value of that structure.

Example:

#include <stdio.h> 
struct greaterSmaller { 
    int greater, smaller; 
}; 
  
typedef struct greaterSmaller Struct; 
  
Struct findGreaterSmaller(int a, int b) 
{ 
    Struct s; 
    if (a > b) { 
        s.greater = a; 
        s.smaller = b; 
    } 
    else { 
        s.greater = b; 
        s.smaller = a; 
    } 
  
    return s; 
} 
int main() 
{ 
    int x, y; 
    Struct result; 
  
    printf("输入两个数字: \n"); 
    scanf("%d%d", &x, &y); 
  
    // 最后两个参数是通过给出内存位置的地址来传递的。
    result = findGreaterSmaller(x, y); 
    printf("\n最大值为：%d，最小值为：%d", 
           result.greater, result.smaller); 
  
    return 0; 
}

Output:

##Method 3: By using an array

When an array is passed as a parameter, its base address is passed to the function, so any changes made to the copy of the array will be changed to the original array.

Note: This method will only work if the returned items are of the same type.

Example: Using an array to return multiple values ​​will store the larger value at arr[0] and the smaller value at arr[1]

#include <stdio.h> 
  
// 将较大的元素存储在arr[0]中 
void findGreaterSmaller(int a, int b, int arr[]) 
{ 
  
    // Store the greater element at 
    // 0th index of the array 
    if (a > b) { 
        arr[0] = a; 
        arr[1] = b; 
    } 
    else { 
        arr[0] = b; 
        arr[1] = a; 
    } 
} 
  
// Driver code 
int main() 
{ 
    int x, y; 
    int arr[2]; 
  
    printf("输入两个数字: \n"); 
    scanf("%d%d", &x, &y); 
  
    findGreaterSmaller(x, y, arr); 
    printf("\n最大值为：%d，最小值为：%d", 
           arr[0], arr[1]); 
  
    return 0; 
}

Output:

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