What are the uses of C++ function pointers?
Several aspects of using function pointers in C++ include:
- Callback function: allows passing a function pointer as a parameter to another function, enabling that function to call the function pointed to by the pointer at the appropriate time, thus achieving callback functionality.
- Dynamic function call: Using function pointers at runtime allows for the dynamic selection and invocation of different functions as needed, enhancing the flexibility of the program.
- Type declarations for function parameters: Function pointers can be used as the type declaration for a function’s parameters, allowing the function to accept different functions as parameters, achieving a more generic and flexible function design.
- Function pointer array: a function pointer array can be used to achieve similar functionality as a function table, calling different functions based on an index.
- Function pointers can be declared as the return type of a function, allowing the function to dynamically return different functions.
- Function pointers can be used for operations such as calculation, comparison, and assignment, allowing functions to be treated like other types of variables.