Ideal class groups H(K) of algebraic quadratic function fields K are studied. Necessaryand sufficient condition is given for the class group H(K) to contain a cyclic subgroup of anyorder n, which holds true for both real and imaginary fields K. Then several series of functionfields K, including real, inertia imaginary, and ramified imaginary quadratic function fields, aregiven, for which the class groups H(K) are proved to contain cyclic subgroups of order n.