C | Functions | Question 9

What is the meaning of using static before function declaration?

For example following function sum is made static

static int sum(int x, int y, int z)
{
    return (x + y + z);
}

(A) Static means nothing, sum() is same without static keyword.
(B) Function need not to be declared before its use
(C) Access to static functions is restricted to the file where they are declared
(D) Static functions are made inline


Answer: (C)

Explanation: In C, functions are global by default. Unlike global functions, access to static functions is restricted to the file where they are declared. We can have file level encapsulation using static variables/functions in C because when we make a global variable static, access to the variable becomes limited to the file in which it is declared.

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