Question

Is this correct?

int (*(*ptr)())[];

I know this is trivial, but I was looking at an old test about these kind of constructs, and this particular combination wasn’t on the test and it’s really driving me crazy; I just have to make sure. Is there a clear and solid understandable rule to these kind of declarations?
(ie: pointer to… array of.. pointers to… functions that…. etc etc)
Thanks!

R

Answer 1

The right-left rule makes it easy.

int (*(*ptr)())[];can be interpreted as

Start from the variable name ——————————- ptr

Nothing to right but ) so go left to find * ————– is a pointer

Jump out of parentheses and encounter () ———– to a function that takes no arguments(in case of C unspecified number of arguments)

Go left, find * ———————————————— and returns a pointer

Jump put of parentheses, go right and hit [] ———- to an array of

Go left again, find int ————————————- ints.