---
description: "Learn more about: Function Call (C)"
title: "Function Call (C)"
ms.date: "11/04/2016"
helpviewer_keywords: ["function calls, C functions", "functions [C], calling", "function calls"]
ms.assetid: 35c66719-3f15-4d3b-97da-4e19dc97b308
---
# Function Call (C)

A *function call* is an expression that includes the name of the function being called or the value of a function pointer and, optionally, the arguments being passed to the function.

## Syntax

*`postfix-expression`*:\
&emsp;*`postfix-expression`*  **`(`**  *`argument-expression-list`*<sub>opt</sub> **`)`**

*`argument-expression-list`*:\
&emsp;*`assignment-expression`*\
&emsp;*`argument-expression-list`* **`,`** *`assignment-expression`*

The *`postfix-expression`* must evaluate to a function address (for example, a function identifier or the value of a function pointer), and *`argument-expression-list`* is a list of expressions (separated by commas) whose values (the "arguments") are passed to the function. The *`argument-expression-list`* argument can be empty.

A function-call expression has the value and type of the function's return value. A function can't return an object of array type. If the function's return type is **`void`** (that is, the function has been declared never to return a value), the function-call expression also has **`void`** type. For more information, see [Function Calls](../c-language/function-calls.md).

## See also

[Function Call Operator: `()`](../cpp/function-call-operator-parens.md)