Understanding the "const" Keyword in Code Declarations
One of the most common queries in programming circles is the meaning and usage of the "const" keyword, particularly in function parameters and return types. To delve into this topic, let's examine the following code snippet:
const int* const Method3(const int* const&);
Function Parameter
The "const" in the function parameter indicates that the pointer passed to the function cannot be reassigned to a different address. In other words, it ensures that the original pointer's value remains unchanged within the function's scope.
Return Type
The "const" in the return type signifies that the pointer returned by the function is immutable. It guarantees that the pointer's value will not alter after being assigned to a variable.
Member Function
The "const" after the member function name denotes a constant member function. This restricts the function from modifying the object's data members or invoking any other non-const member functions.
Putting It All Together
To simplify understanding, rewrite the given code as follows:
int const * const Method3(int const * const&);
Reading from right to left:
Thus, "Method3" is a constant member function that accepts a reference to a const pointer to a const int and returns a const pointer to a const int.
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