Which Member Function Specifier to Use for const, non-const, and Rvalue Objects in C ?

Member Function Specifiers: Unveiling the Roles of const&, &, and &&&

In the realm of C , one may encounter member functions adorned with enigmatic specifiers such as const&, &, and &&&. While these symbols may seem innocuous, they play a crucial role in determining the behavior and accessibility of these functions.

Dissecting the first specifier, const&, reveals that it designates an overload intended for const, non-const, and lvalue objects. Consider the following example:

<code class="cpp">const A a = A();
*a;</code>

In this scenario, the const& overload is invoked because a is a const lvalue object.

Next, the & specifier restricts the overload to non-const objects. For instance:

<code class="cpp">A a;
*a;</code>

Here, the & overload is employed since a is a non-const object.

Finally, the &&& specifier caters exclusively to rvalue objects, as illustrated below:

<code class="cpp">*A();</code>

This overload is selected because the expression is an rvalue.

It's worth noting that these specifiers apply solely to the specifier preceding the semi-colon, not the return type. By carefully considering the type and value category of the objects involved, you can ensure that the appropriate overload is invoked.

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