It is not uncommon for C++ code fragments to be called by non-C++ programs such as a C-based communication software, COBOL based TP monitors and the likes. However, global functions in C++ cannot be called by non-C++ programs since the function name is very different from the one supplied by the programmer. Why is this? By default, the C++ compiler uses a technique termed name mangling which incorporates the function name with its signature (list of arguments) in order to create a unique name for it, even in case of overloading (this technique is used both for external function and class member functions).
//the following global functions have distinct names generated by the compiler
void f(int); //x__f_i this may be the name generated by the compiler for this f()
void f(long, char* ); //x__f_pc this may be the name generated by the compiler for this f()
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