Question

As I’m writing applications using C++ .NET framework I want to ask a question.

When I am writing code exactly for “for loop” I always use this style of coding:

for( int i=0; i<somevalue; ++i ) {
    // Some code goes here.
}

but as I am using C++ .NET I can write

for( System::Int32 i=0; i<somevalue; ++i ) {
    // Some code goes here.
}

I think there are no difference Am I right ? If no can you explain whats the difference between this two ways and. witch one is more effective ?

Answer 1

The only difference is probably being explicit about the range of values supported by int and System::Int32.

System::Int32 makes the 32-bitness more explicit to those reading the code. One should use int where there is just need of ‘an integer’, and use System::Int32 where the size is important (cryptographic code, structures) so readers will be clear of it while maintaining the same.

Using int or System::Int32the resulting code will be identical: the difference is purely one of explicit readability or code appearance.