Question

I’m having difficulties defining a function pointer that can point to any member function (not just member functions for the specified class).

For instance, C++ forces me to specify the class that a function pointer to a member function would point to:

typedef void (Foo::*MyFunctionPointerTypeName)(int);

but what if the class member function that this function pointer is going to point to isn’t in Foo? How then would I write this, or what alternative approach could I use?

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Update: For anyone looking for a quick answer on how to accomplish this with a C++11 std::function (as tutorials on the subject seem to assume alot of the reader):

Definition (from within Foo):

std::function<void(int)> _fun;

Binding (from any class):

objFoo->_fun = std::bind(&SomeOtherClass::memberFunction, 
    this, std::placeholders::_1);

Calling it (from within Foo)

if(_fun != nullptr) _fun(42);

If your function has no parameters, you can remove std::placeholders::_1. And if your function has two parameters you’ll need to also add std::placeholders::_2 as a parameter to std::bind. Similarly for three parameters, four parameters, etc.

Answer 1

You cannot write a member pointer that could point to a member of any class. Remember: one of the arguments of a member pointer is the class instance itself. And pointers are typed, so the type of its arguments is very much a part of the pointer’s type.

You can use std::function however, which can store all sorts of callables. How you would actually call it (ie: what parameters you give it) depends on your needs, as you haven’t explained what you’re trying to do.