Hi.
Conventionally speaking, do you declare and initialize variables at the beginning of a function or loop or right before usage.
For example:
int main()
{
char temp;
cin >> temp;
cout << "1234... & " << temp;
cin >> temp;
cout << temp;
int x;
cin >> x;
cout << temp << " & " << x;
return 0;
}
The arbitrary code above depicts declaration of variables right before usage (int x).
Which way is most convention is arguably better?
Thanks,
Kuphryn
It's all a matter of preference. C++ gives you the ability to declare variables immediately before using them, but the common practice is to declare all variables at the start of the block so as to make the program easier to follow. This practice comes from C where you have no choice but to declare variables at the beginning of the block.
However, there are exceptions such as for loops, it's far easier to declare and initialize a counter variable that has no purpose outside of the loop in the initialization section of the for loop.
-Prelude
My best code is written with the delete key.
Thanks!
As of today, I have begun to declare variable when:
1) there is something to initialize it with
int x = ...functure return, something added/subtract, etc, to other variables
2) right before its usage
int x = 3;
cout << x;
The only time I declare a variable at the top:
int x = 0;
is when it will be referenced to.
function(int &aboveX)
cout << aboveX;
So aboveX is a reference to x.
I began learning and practicing C++ about four months ago. I find something really interesting. I find that when you first learn C++ in college and reading beginner C++ books, the professor and author typically recommend declaring variables right at the top. They make it like it is imperative that we do that or the program may not work. Now, I feel that the programmer is in control of the program and that he/she can declare variables wherever is appropriate. As I mentioned, I feel it is much easier to recognize variable when the program declare them accord to the examples above.
Kuphryn
Excellent, it's a good idea to build your own personal coding style early on. Just try to stay open minded because you might find later on that your chosen style uses some bad techniques. I'm not saying that's what is happening to you, but it happened to me a few times before I found something comfortable and correct.
-Prelude
My best code is written with the delete key.
Stoffel posted something interesting. He responded to this same question and said:
"All memory for all variables in a function are allocated at the beginning of a function in a single step, period. You cannot allocate new stack variables in the middle of a function."
http://www.gamedev.net/community/for...topic_id=71967
Is that a true statement?
Kuphryn
Yes, but if you don't want to take his/her word for it take a look at the assembly generated using different methods.
zen
Okay thanks.
It is an intrigue fact. If that is true, then declaring variable right before using them just makes it easier to read the code. Performancewise, doing so only increase performance for ADT.
Kuphryn
