static functions

[acorn]

I have a question about static functions. I did some googling and just want to verify it. Would it be correct to understand that a static function in c allows the function to only be seen by other functions in the same file. In c++ a static function in a class can be called without an instance of that class.

test example

#include <iostream>
#include <limits>

using std::cout;	using std::endl;
using std::cin;		using std::numeric_limits;
using std::streamsize;


class test
{
public:
	test() { cout << "constructor called" << endl; }

	static int funkyfunction(int a, int b)
	{ return (a + b);}
};

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
        // no class instance
	// test static function and make sure constructor wasnt called
	cout << test::funkyfunction(6,7);

	cout << endl;
	cout << "Press ENTER to continue...";
	cin.ignore(numeric_limits<streamsize>::max(), '\n' );
}

If this is correct can anyone show a real world example where a static function would be useful.

[jsmith]

static has multiple meanings in C++, two of which you listed above.

Line 26 above is an example of a static function declared inside a class (max).

It is generally used where the function is logically related to the class, but the function does not need access to any data members of the class.

[acorn]

ok. oh I never noticed that about line 26. it does look like one. ok. all in all pretty straight forward on this. Thanks jsmith for taking the time to look.