C syntax

[edhall%rand-unix at sri-unix.UUCP]

Try:

static void (*p[N])();


In general, remember that modifiers to a given type (that is,
(), *, and []) are parsed right-to-left, successively modifying
the base type of the item.  Parentheses can change this order.
Thus, the above declaration parses:

    [N]         Array of N
    *           Pointers to
    ()          Functions returning
    void        type `void',
    static      storage class `static'.

Another toughie would be an array of pointers to functions returning
strings:

char *(p[N])();

With a bit of practice, though, creating data types in C is about
as simple as any other language.  Some complain that C is `backwards'
from languages like PASCAL.  This is because the C declaration was
designed to be an example of the use of the object declared; thus,
using the second declaration for `p', above, the value of `x' in:

	      x = *(p[n])();

is of type `char'.  This `declaration by example' is more of a feature
than a obstacle.

		-Ed Hall
		Rand Corporation