C - Array of pointers to functions of pointers to functions returning strings

Question

I've discovered function pointers in C recently and I'm trying to get it working fine but I'm just pulling my hair on this!!!

I have a pointer to a function returning a string:

(char *) (*)() (*bar)().

But I want an array of 6 pointers to function on this but I can't get it working.

I keep getting compiler errors probably with parentheses stuff it's really messy. I've tried something like this but doesn't work:

(((char)(*))((*))(((*)((foo))))([(6)]));

I need help to do this array am I doing something wrong?

Can you clarify "*I want an array of 6 pointers to function on this*" ? — cnicutar, Apr 23 '12 at 07:18
char*(*fun[6])(void)? Your original "pointer to function returning a string" is wrong already — hroptatyr, Apr 23 '12 at 07:18
@parag, the OP is obviously on a very early stage of learning. I do not think the scorn was necessary, esp when you have hardly helped the guy in anyway. This is sheer trolling IMHO. — Chani, Apr 23 '12 at 07:36
[How to use array of function pointers?](http://stackoverflow.com/q/252748/777186) — jogojapan, Apr 23 '12 at 07:45
For the people like @Krishnabhadra who dont respect beginners like me i will say: you should be ashamed you have been beginner once too no need to be that arrogant — mathuvusalem, Apr 24 '12 at 02:00

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 23 '12 at 07:19

2

This is how you define a pointer to a function which return a string :

(char *) (*myFuncPtr)() = myFunc

Array :

(char *) (*myFuncPtr[6])();

myFuncPtr[0] = myFunc

etc...

answered Apr 23 '12 at 07:19

giorashc

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Thank you for the help i tested it it works good!!! People like @Krishnabhadra dont even respect that some people can be beginners if people on this site are so arrogant as him i wont want to participate here :( – mathuvusalem Apr 24 '12 at 00:58

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:45

Follow giorashc's answer or use a simple typedef:

#include <stdio.h>

typedef const char * (*szFunction)();

const char * hello(){ return "Hello";}
const char * world(){ return "world";}
const char * test(){ return "test";}
const char * demo(){ return "demo";}
const char * newline(){ return "\n";}
const char * smiley(){ return ":)";}

int main()
{
    unsigned int i = 0;
    szFunction myFunctions[6];
    myFunctions[0] = hello;
    myFunctions[1] = world;
    myFunctions[2] = test;
    myFunctions[3] = demo;
    myFunctions[4] = newline;
    myFunctions[5] = smiley;

    for(i = 0; i < 6; ++i)
        printf("%s\n",myFunctions[i]());
    return 0;
}

Ideone demo

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 23 '12 at 07:20

It doesn't look like your initial example is valid. To define a function pointer f that return a pointer to a character array, you should use the following syntax.

char* (*f)() = &func1

If you want an array of function pointers, use the syntax below

char* (*arrf[6])() = { &func1, &func2, &func3, &func4, &func5, &func6 }

Here's also a link to a useful old course handout on function pointers.

C - Array of pointers to functions of pointers to functions returning strings

3 Answers3