Question

Consider two possible functions for adding together two xyz points:

struct point add_points(struct point p1, struct point p2)
struct point* add_points(struct point* p1, struct point* p2)

Which of these functions should we expect to operate more efficiently and why?

Consider two possible functions for adding together two xyz points: struct point add_points(struct point p1, struct point p2) struct point* add_points(struct point* p1, struct point* p2) Which of these functions should we expect to operate more efficiently and why?

Answer 1

struct point add_points(struct point p1, struct point p2)

• p1 and p2 are normal variables
• The return value is also normal value.

struct point* add_points(struct point* p1, struct point* p2)

• p1 and p2 are pointer variables
• The return value is also pointer value.

struct point* add_points(struct point* p1, struct point* p2) is more powerful than the struct point add_points(struct point p1, struct point p2).

Reason :

• Generally pointers are more faster access and operate than the normal variable.
• Similarly structure pointer variables are more powerful than the structure variables.
• Structure pointer variables are directly operate with the address location so its more effecient and faster.
• Using structure pointers saves memory because calling function variables and called function variables share the memory where as normal structure functions memory allocated is different for calling function variables and called function variables.

Therefore we can justify that struct point* add_points(struct point* p1, struct point* p2) is more powerful than the struct point add_points(struct point p1, struct point p2).