Function pointer

A function pointer, also called a subroutine pointer or procedure pointer, is a pointer referencing executable code, rather than data. Dereferencing the function pointer yields the referenced function, which can be invoked and passed arguments just as in a normal function call. Such an invocation is also known as an "indirect" call, because the function is being invoked indirectly through a variable instead of directly through a fixed identifier or address.

Function pointers allow different code to be executed at runtime. They can also be passed to a function to enable callbacks.

Function pointers are supported by third-generation programming languages (such as PL/I, COBOL, Fortran,^[1] dBASE dBL^{[clarification needed]}, and C) and object-oriented programming languages (such as C++, C#, and D).^[2]

^ Andrew J. Miller. "Fortran Examples". Retrieved 2013-09-14.
^ "The Function Pointer Tutorials". logo. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2011-04-13. Function Pointers are pointers, i.e. variables, which point to the address of a function

[1] Andrew J. Miller. "Fortran Examples". Retrieved 2013-09-14.

[2] "The Function Pointer Tutorials". logo. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2011-04-13. Function Pointers are pointers, i.e. variables, which point to the address of a function

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