Static Functions

[hitmanben2]

Hi,

I was reading some tutorial(Here: www.functionx.com/cpp/index.htm)
and then the tutorial mention static function without any explanation.

Static Functions

Like a variable, a function also can be declared and/or defined as static.

That's all what it says. then it gives this example:

#ifdef __BORLANDC__
  #pragma argsused
#endif

#include <iostream>

// #include "Exercise.h"
using namespace std;

static int GetNumberOfPages()
{
  int pages = 842;

  return pages;
}

int main( int argc, char * argv[] )
{
    cout << "This book contains " << GetNumberOfPages() << " pages";

    return 0;
}

I looked it up in Google and here but nothing.

Can anyone please explains to me the static function?

[filipe]

A static function is only known in the file it was declared. It's used a lot in C because there's no namespaces and no classes.

[hitmanben2]

filipe (835):
A static function is only known in the file it was declared. It's used a lot in C because there's no namespaces and no classes.

What do you mean in the file it was declared.is that mean if i create a header file and declare a static function in it, i wouldn't be able to use it in the source file or what?

Can you explain it more simpler and with more details?

[filipe]

If you insert a definition along with the declaration into a header file, it will define a separate function inside all the translation units that use it (translation unit = .cpp + all its #includes).

Static functions are typically meant to be local to a .cpp file.

[Bazzy]

A static global function won't be visible when linking with other source files
This feature is deprecated in C++ and unnamed namespaces should be used instead:

namespace
{
    int GetNumberOfPages() { /*...*/ } // same effect, the C++ way
}

[hitmanben2]

Thanks guys

I get it now.