The most efficient way to implement an integer based power function pow(int, int)?

Question

What is the most efficient way given to raise an integer to the power of another integer in C? // 2^3 pow(2,3) == 8 // 5^5 pow(5,5) == 3125

Answer 1

It is in math.h

#include <math.h>

no need to re-invent the wheel...

the basic algorithm is:

int result=1;

for (loop=0; loop<expo; loop++)

{

result = result * base;

}

However, you have multiple cases to consider:

base can be negative

exponent can be negative

base can be 1 or zero.

base=0 and exponent=0 is undefined

base=0 and exponent<0 is undefined

negative exponent means the RECIPROCAL must be returned.

etc