Where to put the 'static' modifier ?

[john891]

Hi there!

I'm a little confused about the 'static' modifier. Where I have to put this word ?

These tree codes are correct:

static void f();
void f();
void f()
{
	//...
}

static void f();
static void f();
static void f()
{
	//...
}

static void f();
void f();
static void f()
{
	//...
}

I think that the general rule is:

The 'static' word have to be placed in the first function prototype. After that - it's neutral.

Am I right ?

[Duthomhas]

The 'static' keyword is one of the most overloaded in C++. What exactly are you trying to do with it?

If I understand you correctly, you want to have a module-local function (one that does not appear in linker export clauses), then you should be as explicit as possible:

static void f();  // a prototype

//... other stuff here

static void f()  // the definition
{
	//...
}

Personally, I don't like extraneous prototypes lying around if I can avoid them. If I have a module-locale function, I define it before externally visible functions.

You can read more about the static keyword here:
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial/statickeyword.html

Hope this helps.

[john891]

Duoas wrote:

then you should be as explicit as possible

Yes, I know - it's the clearest way :)

But my little "rule" is correct, isn't it ?

[tummychow]

File statics are a C holdover. You can use an unnamed namespace instead. (IIRC.)

[john891]

I know :)

I'd like to know whether my little "rule" is correct ;) That's all...

[tummychow]

It's just about probably.