More complex uses of typedef

suggest change

The rule that typedef declarations have the same syntax as ordinary variable and function declarations can be used to read and write more complex declarations.

void (*f)(int);         // f has type "pointer to function of int returning void"
typedef void (*f)(int); // f is an alias for "pointer to function of int returning void"

This is especially useful for constructs with confusing syntax, such as pointers to non-static members.

void (Foo::*pmf)(int);         // pmf has type "pointer to member function of Foo taking int
                               // and returning void"
typedef void (Foo::*pmf)(int); // pmf is an alias for "pointer to member function of Foo
                               // taking int and returning void"

It is hard to remember the syntax of the following function declarations, even for experienced programmers:

void (Foo::*Foo::f(const char*))(int);
int (&g())[100];

typedef can be used to make them easier to read and write:

typedef void (Foo::pmf)(int);  // pmf is a pointer to member function type
pmf Foo::f(const char*);       // f is a member function of Foo

typedef int (&ra)[100];        // ra means "reference to array of 100 ints"
ra g();                        // g returns reference to array of 100 ints

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