What are some advanced examples of function pointers in C++?

What are some advanced examples of function pointers in C++?

Function pointers in C++ allow you to store the address of a function and call it later. An advanced example is using function pointers with callbacks in a sorting algorithm.

Can you show me a code example of using function pointers with callbacks?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
#include <algorithm>

void print(int n) {
    std::cout << n << " ";
}

void sortAndPrint(int* arr, int size, void (*callback)(int)) {
    std::sort(arr, arr + size);
    for (int i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
        callback(arr[i]);
    }
}

int main() {
    int arr[] = {5, 3, 2, 8, 1};
    sortAndPrint(arr, 5, print);
    return 0;
}

This code sorts an array and uses a function pointer to print each element.

What are the advantages of using function pointers?

Function pointers provide flexibility in your code, allowing you to pass functions as arguments, implement callbacks, and create more modular and reusable code.

Are there any drawbacks to using function pointers?

Yes, function pointers can make code harder to read and maintain. They also introduce potential risks like dereferencing null pointers if not handled carefully.