Can someone explain why "void func_dec(void (*)(int) funcptr);" is illegal

Question

When declaring a functions which takes function pointer as argument as mentioned below the compiler throws error.

 void func_dec(int x, void(*)() funcptr);

Whereas it accepts below declaration,

 void func_dec(int x, void(*funcptr)());

Why the compiler could not recognize the former declaration though it looks logical.

Answer 1

It is illegal because the formal definition in the language standard says so. As for the reason why it is that way, and it really may seem obscure, here it is:

From The New C Standard: An Economic and Cultural Commentary (v 1.2 from June 24, 2009, section 6.7 Declarations):

The intent of this syntax is for an identifier’s declarator to have the same visual appearance as an instance of that identifier in an expression. For instance, in:

int x[3], *y, z(void);

char (*f(int))[];

the identifier x might appear in the source as an indexed array, y as a dereferenced pointer, and z as a function call. An example of an expression using the result of a call to f is (*f(42))[1].

And the same from The Development of the C Language by Dennis M. Ritchie:

Thus,

int i, *pi, **ppi;

declare an integer, a pointer to an integer, a pointer to a pointer to an integer. The syntax of these declarations reflects the observation that i, *pi, and **ppi all yield an int type when used in an expression. Similarly,

int f(), *f(), (*f)();

declare a function returning an integer, a function returning a pointer to an integer, a pointer to a function returning an integer;

int *api[10], (*pai)[10];

declare an array of pointers to integers, and a pointer to an array of integers. In all these cases the declaration of a variable resembles its usage in an expression whose type is the one named at the head of the declaration.

Answer 2

This is because,

 void(*)() funcptr

is in invalid syntax on it's own.

Just supply the type while writing the function declaration,

void func_dec(int , void(*) ());

it should be enough. Otherwise, if you want to specify the variable name also, write

 void func_dec(int x, void(*funcptr) ());

Answer 3

The function parameter name should go in the same place as the function name goes when you declare a function.

Function declaration:

void func();  // correct syntax
void() func;  // incorrrect syntax

Function pointer declaration:

void (*func_ptr)();  // correct syntax
void (*)() func_ptr; // incorrect syntax

Declaring a function pointer becomes easier if you use the following trick:

Take the function declaration. Replace the function name with (*pointerName), or (*) if you want an unnamed version.

Example:

 int func1(char* parm1);        // function
 int (*func1_ptr)(char* parm1); // function pointer

 // function taking a function pointer as parameter:
 void foo(int (*func1_ptr)(char*));
 // The same declaration with an unnamed parameter:
 void foo(int (*)(char*));