A function that returns a pointer on a function

[Boris Sargos]

Hi,

I need to write a function that returns a pointer on a function. Is it
possible, and which is the syntax ?

Thanks.
Boris

[John Harrison]

"Boris Sargos" <bs*****@wanadoo.fr> wrote in message
news:c6**********@news-reader4.wanadoo.fr...

Hi,

I need to write a function that returns a pointer on a function. Is it
possible, and which is the syntax ?

Thanks.
Boris

Trying to do that without using a typedef is a real test of your
understanding of type declarations. The easy way is with a typedef

typedef void (*FUNC_PTR)(void); // or whatever

FUNC_PTR some_function()
{
...
}

It is however impossible to define a function that returns a pointer to
itself, that would mean an infinite recursion in the type of that function.

john

[Siemel Naran]

"John Harrison" <jo*************@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6ahbn$9ppkf$1@ID-> "Boris Sargos" <bs*****@wanadoo.fr> wrote in
message

I need to write a function that returns a pointer on a function. Is it
possible, and which is the syntax ?

Trying to do that without using a typedef is a real test of your
understanding of type declarations. The easy way is with a typedef
Without typedef I think this is it:

void (*some_function())();

This is a function some_function taking no arguments and returning a pointer
to a function taking no arguments and returning a void. It's similar to a
function taking a reference to an array of elements. But of course, what
you have below is cleaner:
typedef void (*FUNC_PTR)(void); // or whatever

FUNC_PTR some_function()
{
...
}

It is however impossible to define a function that returns a pointer to
itself, that would mean an infinite recursion in the type of that

function.

This makes sense, because of

typedef FUNC_PTR (*FUNC_PTR)(void); // or whatever

But what about

void (*)(*some_function())();

Just guessing. Could be wrong.

[John Harrison]

"Siemel Naran" <Si*********@REMOVE.att.net> wrote in message
news:c7********************@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

"John Harrison" <jo*************@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6ahbn$9ppkf$1@ID-> "Boris Sargos" <bs*****@wanadoo.fr> wrote in
message

I need to write a function that returns a pointer on a function. Is it
possible, and which is the syntax ?

Trying to do that without using a typedef is a real test of your
understanding of type declarations. The easy way is with a typedef

Without typedef I think this is it:

void (*some_function())();

That's right.
This is a function some_function taking no arguments and returning a pointer to a function taking no arguments and returning a void. It's similar to a
function taking a reference to an array of elements. But of course, what
you have below is cleaner:

typedef void (*FUNC_PTR)(void); // or whatever

FUNC_PTR some_function()
{
...
}

It is however impossible to define a function that returns a pointer to
itself, that would mean an infinite recursion in the type of that function.

This makes sense, because of

typedef FUNC_PTR (*FUNC_PTR)(void); // or whatever

But what about

void (*)(*some_function())();

Just guessing. Could be wrong.

Syntax error on my compiler. If it's not possible with a typedef I don't see
why you think it might be possible without a typedef.

john