C vs. C : What's the Difference Between `void foo()` and `void foo(void)`?

Function Prototypes in C and C : void foo() vs. void foo(void)

In C, the syntax of a function prototype includes a void keyword followed by the function name and parentheses. Two common variations are:

• void foo()
• void foo(void)

The use of void foo(void) in C implies that the function takes no arguments, while void foo() signifies an unspecified number of arguments of unspecified types.

In C , however, both void foo() and void foo(void) indicate a function with no arguments. This distinction arose due to historical reasons and was made to align C with other languages such as Java.

While both forms are technically valid in C , the convention is to use void foo() without the redundant void argument for clarity. Writing void foo(void) is not considered an error, but it provides no additional information and may be confusing to some readers.

Additionally, specifying void before the function name in C can aid in cross-language compatibility when interfacing with C code. By using void foo(void), developers can ensure a consistent interpretation of the function signature across both languages, facilitating easier code maintenance and portability.

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