Re: [boost] Metaprogramming: Using static const or enum?

From: Daniel Frey (daniel.frey_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-01-09 04:51:42

Gabriel Dos Reis wrote:
> 
> I'm not one the authors of the book mentioned but I will say what I
> know (from experience both as a user and casual implementor).  The
> issue of enum/static const is an endless debate. However, one thing is
> sure:  Even with the amended paragraph in the Standard (redefinition of
> "used"), passing an lvalue to a function that expects a const
> reference more or less takes the referenced entity's address, and as
> such makes the "static const object" used, therefore a definition is
> required.  One looses the "purely compile-time constant" aspect.

This matches my experience (as a user only :)

> Yes, a smarter compiler may do better, but such smarter compilers are
> quite rare :-)
> Yes, the thingy ends up in the link map (as a local symbol).

Just to make sure: Do you "vote" in favor of enums? I have seen problems
with 'static const ...', but I have never seen problems with enums
(although they theoretically exist). Both have their drawbacks, it seems
we have to choose the petty evil...

> -- Gaby

Regards, Daniel

-- 
Daniel Frey
aixigo AG - financial training, research and technology
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