====== const keyword ======

//See web reference links at the bottom for more information//

===== Does the const keyword precede or follow the data type? =====

^ [[amazon>0470863986|You Can Do It!: A Beginners Introduction to Computer Programming]] ^

:!: NOTE: Francis Glassborow uses a form of initialization that he refers to as a function-style initialization, whereas I (and maybe you) are used to the assignment style for variables. 

  * Page 37 shows ''const'' used after a data type in pseudocode((Fixed a typo here that is present in my edition of the book)):

<code cpp>
nothing climb_stairs(staircase const & stairs, person & me){
      for(int i(0); i != stairs.number_of_steps(); ++i){
                  me.step_up_one_step();
      }
}</code>

  * Page 64 has (I added the comment):

<code cpp>
// const is after the data type
string const endinput("END");
</code>

  * Appendix A mentions:

  While there is some allowance for varying the position of ''const'' in a declaration, 
  it must not come after the symbol that qualifies a type as a reference type.


^ [[amazon>0672326973|C++ Primer Plus (5th Edition, 2nd printing)]] ^

  * Pages 88-89 (comment by me):
<code cpp>
// The const keyword is in front of the data type and variable
const int MONTHS = 12;</code>

=====  Does the const keyword precede or follow function declarations? =====

FIXME: **Needs to be verified**

It would seem that this is of use for pointers and references (not sure) as returning anything else would be a pass by value and ''const'' would not be needed.

To answer the question, it is a prefix for the return value.

=====  Does the const keyword precede or follow member function declarations? =====

^ [[amazon>0470863986|You Can Do It!: A Beginners Introduction to Computer Programming]] ^

  * Page 91:

''const'' objects must have const member functions. The syntax for ''const'' member functions is to place the ''const'' keyword after the function parenthesis. This tells the compiler that any object passed to the function will not be changed.


==== Web References ====

  * [[wp>Const_correctness|Wikipedia - Const correctness]]
  * [[http://www.timfanelli.com/item/110|Timothy C. Fanelli - The C++ const Keyword]]
  * [[http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite/const-correctness.html|[18] Const correctness - C++ FAQ Lite]]
  * [[http://duramecho.com/ComputerInformation/WhyHowCppConst.html|The C++ 'const' Declaration: Why & How]]
  * [[http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=410498|C++: const return type]] - forum posting
  * [[http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial/const_correctness.html|cprogramming.com - Const Correctness]]