What are the steps required to use a function?

To effectively use a function in programming, the initial step is to declare the function. This involves defining the function's name, its parameters, and its return type. This declaration provides the compiler or interpreter with the necessary information about what the function is expected to do and how it should be used. After the function has been declared, it can be called in the main part of the code. Calling the function executes the block of code defined by the function, and the program can utilize the results that the function returns if applicable.

The significance of declaring the function first cannot be overstated; without this declaration, the call to the function would not be recognized, leading to errors. This clear separation ensures that the program can be structured logically, with the definitions of functions organized either at the beginning of the code or in a separate compilation unit.

In contrast, calling a function before it is declared will lead to a compile-time error because the compiler will not have the function's signature available at the time of the call. Declaring inside the main function may work under certain circumstances, especially in languages that allow functions to be defined within other functions, but it is a less common practice and generally not advisable for modularity and readability. Declaring a function only if