Re: Declare an array parameter to be const?

From: Andrey Tarasevich (andreytarasevich_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 01/27/05 

Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 10:30:55 -0800

Dylan Nicholson wrote:
> Is there any way of declaring the parameter "array" below to be const,
> so that the function as written will not compile:
>
> void foo(int array[] /*const*/)
> {
> array = array; // should not be allowed to point this at another
> array!
> }

As long as you are using this syntax, it can't be done in C++.

Note, that what you declare in this case is not an array but a mere
pointer. Which means that you can switch to the alternative (and
absolutely equivalent) way to declare the same parameter

  void foo(int* array);

and then add const qualifications as you please

  void foo(const int* array);
  void foo(int* const array); // <- this is the one you need
  void foo(const int* const array);

As a side note, in the C99 C language you can archive what you need with
your original syntax

  void foo(int array[const]);

but this is ill-formed in C++. 

-- 
Best regards,
Andrey Tarasevich

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