Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
What are Functions?
3.
What are Methods?
4.
Difference between Method and Function
5.
Implementation of Methods and Functions
5.1.
Implementation in C++
5.2.
C++
6.
Frequently Asked Questions
6.1.
What is the difference between a function and a main method?
6.2.
What is the difference between method and function in Java class?
6.3.
Why are methods not called functions?
7.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Aug 27, 2024
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What is the difference between a method and a function?

Author Shiva
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Introduction

A function represents a set of precise instructions or procedures designed to accomplish a specific task, while a method encapsulates a set of instructions intricately tied to an object's behaviour or functionality.

difference between method and function

We’ll discuss functions and methods and their implementation in C++ briefly, and we’ll also compare the differences between method and function.

What are Functions?

Functions are a fundamental programming concept that allows developers to gather together a set of instructions that execute a specified activity. They are reusable chunks of code that can be called from other program components several times, making the code more organized and efficient. 

Depending on use cases, It can accept inputs, process them, and provide an output, allowing complicated algorithms to be created. Furthermore, they can change the state of an object or return null, giving them considerably more flexibility. Functions are essential in the development of well-structured, maintainable, and scalable software programs.

What are Methods?

Methods are similar to functions in that they carry out a particular task, but in object-oriented programming, they are linked to an object or class; this is the difference between method and function. These functions offer an interface for dealing with the data of the object by operating on the instance variables defined within the class in which they are defined. 

Like functions, methods can contain parameters and can be secret or public. Encapsulation and abstraction are made possible by them, which are fundamental concepts in object-oriented programming. Modern software development makes heavy use of methods that are essential for building dependable, maintainable object-oriented systems.

Difference between Method and Function

Here’s a comparison to better understand the difference between method vs function: 

Method  Function
Associated with an object or class in object-oriented programming. Standalone block of code.
Operates on the instance variables of a class. Operates on inputs passed as arguments.
It can be public or private. Has no visibility control, accessible from anywhere in the code.
Can access and modify the state of an object. Cannot access or modify the state of an object.
Enables encapsulation and abstraction in object-oriented programming. Does not support encapsulation or abstraction.
Used in object-oriented programming to provide an interface for interacting with the object's data. Used in procedural programming for organizing code and making it more modular.
Defined within a class using the class keyword. Defined outside of a class or object.
Invoked using the object or class instance followed by the dot operator (.). Invoked using the function name followed by parentheses ().
Example: myObject.myMethod(); Example: result = myFunction(arg1, arg2);

Implementation of Methods and Functions

Here is the implementation to highlight the difference between method and function.

Implementation in C++

  • C++

C++

//C++ implementation to understand the difference between method and function
#include<bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
// Function implementation
int addNumbers(int a, int b) {
   return a + b;
}
// Method implementation
class MyClass {
   public:
       int addNumbers(int a, int b) {
           return a + b;
       }
};
int main() {
   int result = addNumbers(3, 5);
   cout << result<<endl; // Output: 8
   MyClass obj;
   int res = obj.addNumbers(3, 5);
   cout << res; // Output: 8
   return 0;
}
You can also try this code with Online C++ Compiler
Run Code


Output:

8
8

 

Explanation: 

In the example above, we have made addNumbers function inside and outside the class, and we are calling them with and without the object. In both ways, it prints the same output for the given parameters. It is important to note that both are two different things.

There isn’t a difference in the output of the function and method. The only difference is how we call them. A method cannot be called without using an object or class.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a function and a main method?

A function is any block of code that performs a specific task, while the main method is a special entry point in a program that initiates execution.

What is the difference between method and function in Java class?

In Java, functions are called methods when they belong to a class and operate on objects. Standalone functions (not within a class) are not typical in Java.

Why are methods not called functions?

Methods aren't called functions because they belong to classes or objects, emphasizing their connection to object-oriented programming, whereas functions can exist independently.

Conclusion

In this article, we have thoroughly discussed the difference between method and function. We also briefly learned the difference between method and function through table and implementation.

After reading this blog, you will grasp the difference between method and function.
 

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