C Academy · Lesson

Declaring Function Pointers

Pointers to functions.

Declaring Function Pointers is a free C Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Functions Have Addresses

Just like data, every function lives at an address in memory. A function pointer stores that address so you can call the function indirectly.

#include <stdio.h>

void greet(void) { printf("hello\n"); }

int main(void) {
    void (*fp)(void) = greet;
    fp();
    return 0;
}

Reading the Declaration

The declaration int (*fp)(int) means: fp is a pointer to a function taking an int and returning an int.

The parentheses around *fp are required.

#include <stdio.h>

int square(int x) { return x * x; }

int main(void) {
    int (*fp)(int) = square;
    printf("%d\n", fp(5));
    return 0;
}

Assigning a Function

A function name decays to its address, so fp = square and fp = &square are equivalent.

#include <stdio.h>

int dbl(int x) { return x * 2; }

int main(void) {
    int (*fp)(int);
    fp = &dbl;
    printf("%d\n", fp(7));
    return 0;
}

Calling Through the Pointer

You can call through a function pointer with fp(args) or the explicit (*fp)(args). Both do the same thing.

#include <stdio.h>

int add1(int x) { return x + 1; }

int main(void) {
    int (*fp)(int) = add1;
    printf("%d\n", fp(10));
    printf("%d\n", (*fp)(10));
    return 0;
}

The Signature Must Match

A function pointer's type includes its return type and parameter types. You can only assign a function whose signature matches exactly.

#include <stdio.h>

double half(double x) { return x / 2.0; }

int main(void) {
    double (*fp)(double) = half;
    printf("%f\n", fp(9.0));
    return 0;
}

Reassigning at Runtime

A function pointer is a variable, so you can point it at different functions while the program runs.

#include <stdio.h>

int inc(int x) { return x + 1; }
int dec(int x) { return x - 1; }

int main(void) {
    int (*op)(int) = inc;
    printf("%d\n", op(5));
    op = dec;
    printf("%d\n", op(5));
    return 0;
}

Choosing by Condition

Select which function to call based on a runtime value, then invoke through one pointer.

#include <stdio.h>

int plus(int a) { return a + 10; }
int minus(int a) { return a - 10; }

int main(void) {
    int up = 1;
    int (*op)(int) = up ? plus : minus;
    printf("%d\n", op(100));
    return 0;
}

typedef for Readability

Function pointer syntax is verbose. A typedef gives the type a name, making declarations clearer.

#include <stdio.h>

typedef int (*IntOp)(int);

int triple(int x) { return x * 3; }

int main(void) {
    IntOp op = triple;
    printf("%d\n", op(4));
    return 0;
}

Two-Argument Functions

Function pointers can describe any signature. Here is one for a binary integer operation.

#include <stdio.h>

int sum(int a, int b) { return a + b; }

int main(void) {
    int (*op)(int, int) = sum;
    printf("%d\n", op(3, 4));
    return 0;
}

A Null Function Pointer

Like data pointers, a function pointer can be NULL. Always check before calling one that may be unset.

#include <stdio.h>

int twice(int x) { return x * 2; }

int main(void) {
    int (*op)(int) = NULL;
    if (op == NULL) op = twice;
    if (op) printf("%d\n", op(8));
    return 0;
}

Printing the Address

You can inspect the stored address. Different functions have different addresses.

#include <stdio.h>

int f(int x) { return x; }

int main(void) {
    int (*fp)(int) = f;
    printf("function pointer is %s\n", fp ? "set" : "null");
    return 0;
}

Quick Check

Test your understanding of function pointer declarations.

Recap

You learned to declare and use function pointers:

Syntax: ret (*name)(params) with required parentheses.
Assign with the function name (it decays to an address).
Call with fp(args) or (*fp)(args).
The signature must match; typedef improves readability.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Declaring Function Pointers” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Declaring Function Pointers” is free to read here on the web, and the C Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Declaring Function Pointers”?

Pointers to functions. You practise C Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start C Academy?

No prior experience is required. C Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Declaring Function Pointers” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this C Academy lesson?

Yes. Every C Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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