Swift - Nested Functions

A Function is a block of statements that is called to perform a specific task. When a function is defined inside another function, such type of function is known as a nested function. The scope of the nested function is limited to the function in which they are defined means they are only accessible from within the outer function. If we try to access them outside the outer function, then we will get the error.

  • In Swift, a single function can contain multiple nested functions and they must be defined before they are called.

  • The nested function increases the readability and organizes complex tasks by breaking them into smaller and reusable components.

  • Nested functions encapsulate the logic inside the limited scope and can prevent external access.

  • They can only access variables from their outer function.

Syntax of Nested Functions

Following is the syntax of the Nested Function −

func outerFunction(){
   func nestedFunction(){
      // code
   }
   func nestedFunction2(){
      //code
   }
   nestedFunction1() 
   nestedFunction2()
}

Nested Function Without Parameter in Swift

In Swift, we can define a nested function without any parameters. Such a type of function does not take any parameter while calling them and may or may not return any value.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of the nested function without a parameter list −

func nestedFunction(){
   // Code
}

Example

Swift program to display the World Cup winner's name using nested function.

import Foundation

// Outer function
func worldCupTrophy(){

   // Nested function without parameter list
   func winnerName() {
      print("Winner of World Cup is INDIA")
   }    
   // Calling nested function
   winnerName()
}
// Calling the outer function to display the result
worldCupTrophy()

Output

It will produce the following output −

Winner of World Cup is INDIA

Nested Function with Parameter in Swift

A nested function can contain a parameter list without any return type. Such types of nested functions can only access variables and parameters of the outer function. A nested function can contain multiple parameters and they are separated by their argument labels.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of Nested Function with Parameters −

func nestedFunction(name1: Int, name2: Int){
   // code
}

Example

Swift program to add two strings using nested function.

import Foundation

// Outer function
func concatenateStrings(str1: String, str2: String){

   // Nested function with parameter list
   func displayResult(finalStr: String) {
      print("Concatenated String: \(finalStr)")
   }
   let result = str1 + str2
    
   // Calling nested function
   displayResult(finalStr: result)
}

// Input strings
var string1 = "Welcome "
var string2 = "TutorialsPoint"

// Calling the outer function to display the result
concatenateStrings(str1: string1, str2: string2)

Output

It will produce the following output −

Concatenated String: Welcome TutorialsPoint

Nested Function without Return Type in Swift

A nested function without any return type does not return any value. It may or may not contain parameters.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of Nested Function without return type −

func nestedFunction(name: Int){
   // code
   return
}

Example

Swift program to calculate the area of a rectangle using nested function.

import Foundation

// Outer function
func Rectangle(length: Int, width: Int){

   // Nested function without return type  
   func displayArea(finalArea: Int) {
      print("Area of Rectangle: \(finalArea)")
   }
   let result = length * width 
    
   // Calling nested function
   displayArea(finalArea: result)
}

// Input strings
var l = 10
var w = 12

// Calling the outer function to display the result
Rectangle(length: l, width: w)

Output

It will produce the following output −

Area of Rectangle: 120

Nested Function with Return Type in Swift

A nested function can contain a parameter list without any return type. A nested function with a return type always returns something.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of Nested Function with Return Type −

func nestedFunction(name1: Int, name2: Int) -> ReturnType{
   // code
   return
}

Example

Swift program to calculate the sum of two figures(rectangle and square) using nested function.

import Foundation

// Outer function without return type
func Areas(length: Int, width: Int){

   // Nested function with return type
   func sumOfAreas(area1: Int, area2: Int)-> Int {
    
      let Sum = area1 + area2
      return Sum
        
   }
   let areaOfRectangle = length * width
   let areaOfSquare = length * length
    
   // Calling nested function
   print("Total Area: \(sumOfAreas(area1: areaOfRectangle, area2: areaOfSquare))")
}

// Calling the outer function to display the result
Areas(length: 23, width: 25)

Output

It will produce the following output −

Total Area: 1104
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