Extra brackets with function names in C/C++

Consider below C program. The program has extra bracket around function name.

// C program to show that extra brackets with function
// name work
#include <stdio.h>

void (foo)(int n)
{
   printf("Function : %d ", n);
}

int main()
{
   (foo)(4);
   return 0;
}

Output:

Function 4

So putting extra bracket with function name works in C/C++.

What can be use of it?
One use could be, if we have a macro with same name as function, then extra brackets avoid macro expansion wherever we want the function to be called.

// C program to show that extra brackets with function
// name can be useful if we have a macro with same name
#include <stdio.h>
#define foo(n)  printf("\nMacro : %d ", n);

void (foo)(int n)
{
   printf("Function : %d ", n);
}

int main()
{
   (foo)(4);
   foo(4);
   return 0;
}

Output:

Function 4
Macro : 4

If you like GeeksforGeeks and would like to contribute, you can also write an article and mail your article to contribute@geeksforgeeks.org. See your article appearing on the GeeksforGeeks main page and help other Geeks.

Please write comments if you find anything incorrect, or you want to share more information about the topic discussed above

My Personal Notes arrow_drop_up

Save