Question

Note: I am using the g++ compiler (which is I hear is pretty good and supposed to be pretty close to the standard).

Not trying to start a grammar war, but just a random question… What is the ideal way to declare a pointer?

int* pI = 4;
int *pI = 4;

(or my favorite, I know it’s non-pretty, but I like it):

int*pI = 4;

Same question stands for references:

int& rI = 4;
int &rI = 4;

or

int&rI = 4;

Maybe there is no right answer. Similarly, should I care whether a constant integer is declared as:

const int I = 4;

or

int const I = 4;

I’m fine with not caring…

I do like the way a const function is declared by having a const after the last parenthesis.

And I believe a constant function has a distinct function signature than the similar non-const function (i.e. the const-nesss is part of the function signature, unlike most sources that say it just depends on the arguments type and the return type).

Is this right? Should I care?

Answer 1

I prefer

int* a;
int& b;

for the following reason: the type is int* and not int. For me – the type belongs together and needs to stand separate from the name. I know this introduces some problems with

int* a, b;

but that’s why I don’t declare to variables in one line.

Other than that – like VJo said: stick to the coding standard. If everyone around you does it one way, don’t do it the other.