# Function Reference

DevFeed: [Function Reference](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/function-reference-25014.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://typealias.com/concepts/function-reference/>)

Author: author@typealias.com (Dave Leeds)

Published: 2017-09-01T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Dave Leeds on Kotlin - typealias.com](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/dave-leeds-on-kotlin-typealias-com.md>)

Topics: [Kotlin](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/kotlin.md>), [Functional programming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/functional-programming.md>), [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>)

Tags: [alternatives](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/alternatives.md>), [class](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/class.md>), [function](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/function.md>), [function-reference](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/function-reference.md>), [kotlin](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/kotlin.md>), [lambda](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/lambda.md>), [programming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/programming.md>), [receiver](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/receiver.md>), [reference](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/reference.md>)

## AI overview

This Kotlin reference explains how function references work, including assigning, passing, and returning functions. It covers bound and unbound references, top-level and local references, receiver expressions, and alternatives such as lambdas.

## Source excerpt

Overview Kotlin supports the notion of first-class functions - functions can be saved to variables, passed into functions, and returned from functions. When you need to do this, you can create lambdas - function literals - or you can refer to an existing function by means of a function reference. Usage Assigning a function: class Example { fun add(a: Int, b: Int) = a + b val operation = this::add } Passing a function: