Example
If a lambda's capture list is empty, then the lambda has an implicit conversion to a function pointer that takes the same arguments and returns the same return type:
auto sorter = [](int lhs, int rhs) -> bool {return lhs < rhs;};
using func_ptr = bool(*)(int, int);
func_ptr sorter_func = sorter; // implicit conversion
Such a conversion may also be enforced using unary plus operator:
func_ptr sorter_func2 = +sorter; // enforce implicit conversion
Calling this function pointer behaves exactly like invoking operator() on the lambda. This function pointer is in no way reliant on the source lambda closure's existence. It therefore may outlive the lambda closure.
This feature is mainly useful for using lambdas with APIs that deal in function pointers, rather than C++ function objects.
C++14
Conversion to a function pointer is also possible for generic lambdas with an empty capture list. If necessary, template argument deduction will be used to select the correct specialization.
auto sorter = [](auto lhs, auto rhs) { return lhs < rhs; };
using func_ptr = bool(*)(int, int);
func_ptr sorter_func = sorter; // deduces int, int
// note however that the following is ambiguous
// func_ptr sorter_func2 = +sorter;
