I am trying to initialize a constexpr declaration with a pointer to int which is a const object. I also try to define an object with a object that is not a const type.
Code:
#include <iostream>
int main()
{
constexpr int *np = nullptr; // np is a constant to int that points to null;
int j = 0;
constexpr int i = 42; // type of i is const int
constexpr const int *p = &i; // p is a constant pointer to the const int i;
constexpr int *p1 = &j; // p1 is a constant pointer to the int j;
}
g++ log:
constexpr.cc:8:27: error: ‘& i’ is not a constant expression
constexpr.cc:9:22: error: ‘& j’ is not a constant expression
I believe it is because the objects in main have no fixed addresses, thus g++ is throwing error messages back at me; how would I correct this? Without using literal types.
A static constexpr variable has to be set at compilation, because its lifetime is the the whole program. Without the static keyword, the compiler isn't bound to set the value at compilation, and could decide to set it later.
Use constexpr if the value of your variable is known at compile time. Use const in cases where the value is not known at compile time, or you can't use constexpr with the type even though you know it at compile time. In C++17, constexpr is not available for all types such as string.
constexpr functions A constexpr function is one whose return value is computable at compile time when consuming code requires it. Consuming code requires the return value at compile time to initialize a constexpr variable, or to provide a non-type template argument.
The alternatives don't have the all of the positives of static constexpr - you're guaranteed compile time processing, type safety, and (potentially) lower usage of memory (constexpr variables don't need to take up memory, they are effectively hard coded unless if possible).
Make them static
to fix their addresses:
int main()
{
constexpr int *np = nullptr; // np is a constant to int that points to null;
static int j = 0;
static constexpr int i = 42; // type of i is const int
constexpr const int *p = &i; // p is a constant pointer to the const int i;
constexpr int *p1 = &j; // p1 is a constant pointer to the int j;
}
This is known as an address constant expression [5.19p3]:
An address constant expression is a prvalue core constant expression of pointer type that evaluates to the address of an object with static storage duration, to the address of a function, or to a null pointer value, or a prvalue core constant expression of type std::nullptr_t.
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With