What are callback functions?

In computer science, a callback is executable code that is passed as an argument to other code. It allows a low level software layer to call a function occurring in a higher level layer. Usually the higher level code first calls a function within the lower level code passing to it a pointer or handle to another function. Then the lower level function in the course of executing may call the passed-in function any number of times to perform some subtask. Another option is that the lower level function registers the passed-in function as a handler that is to be called asynchronously by the lower level at a later time in reaction to something. A callback can be used as a simpler alternative to polymorphism and generic programming, in that the exact behavior of a function can be dynamically determined by passing different (yet compatible) function pointers or handles to the lower level function. This can be a very powerful technique for code reuse.