(C++) Why do you use [a certain style/syntax]?

 

FAQ about my personal style and syntax.

 

 

 

 

 

Not returning const int in main

 

I use const whenever possible [3-8], so I nearly always use const return types.

 

I do write:

 

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int main() {   //Code }

 

I do not write:

 

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const int main() //Not my style and non-standard {   //Code }

 

This is because the standard states that main has one of the following syntaxes [1] :

 

---

int main() { /* Your code */ }

 

and

 

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int main(int argc, char* argv[]) { /* Your code */ }

 

I choose to stick with the standard.

 

 

 

 

 

Not returning zero in main

 

When main reaches its closing bracket, I never write explicity to let main return a zero.

 

I do write:

 

---

int main() {   //Code }

 

I do not write:

 

---

int main() {   //Code   return 0; //Not my style }

 

This is because the standard states that the closing bracket of main() must have the same effect of returning zero [2]. Therefore, return zero can be omitted. And I do so.

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

1. C++. International Standard. ISO/IEC 14882. Second edition. Paragraph 3.6.1.2
2. C++. International Standard. ISO/IEC 14882. Second edition. Paragraph 3.6.1.5
3. Bjarne Stroustrup. The C++ Programming Language (3rd edition). ISBN: 0-201-88954-4 7.9.3: 'Use const extensively and consistently'
4. Scott Meyers. Effective C++ (3rd edition).ISBN: 0-321-33487-6. Item 3: 'Use const whenever possible'
5. Jarrod Hollingworth, Bob Swart, Mark Cashman, Paul Gustavson. Sams C++ Builder 6 Developer's Guide. ISBN: 0-672-32480-6. Chapter 3: 'Understand and use const in your code'
6. Jesse Liberty. Sams teach yourself C++ in 24 hours. ISBN: 0-672-32224-2. Hour 8, chapter 'Const member functions': 'Use const whenever possible.'
7. Scott Meyers. Effective C++ (3rd edition). ISBN: 0-321-33487-6. Item 2: 'Prefer consts, enums and inlines to #defines'
8. Herb Sutter, Andrei Alexandrescu. C++ coding standards: 101 rules, guidelines, and best practices. ISBN: 0-32-111358-6. Item 15: 'Use const proactively'