What are some examples of const correctness in C++?

What are some examples of const correctness in C++?

Const correctness in C++ ensures that variables meant to be immutable are declared as 'const'. For example, if you have a function that should not modify its input, you can declare the parameter as 'const'. Here's a simple example:

void printValue(const int value) {
    std::cout << value << std::endl;
}

In this case, 'value' cannot be modified within the function.

Can you give me another example?

Sure! Consider a class that has a method to access a member variable without modifying it:

class MyClass {
private:
    int data;
public:
    MyClass(int val) : data(val) {}
    int getData() const {
        return data;
    }
};

Here, the getData method is marked as 'const', indicating it won't change any member variables.

What happens if I forget to use const?

If you forget to use 'const', you might accidentally modify a variable that should remain unchanged, leading to bugs. For instance, if you pass a non-const reference to a function, it can alter the original data, which can cause unexpected behavior in your program.

How can I enforce const correctness in my code?

You can enforce const correctness by consistently using 'const' in your function parameters, return types, and member functions. Additionally, using static analysis tools can help identify places where const correctness is violated.