Re: Correct constness
Vadim wrote:
I'm puzzled with the following simple scenario:
class Settings
{
public:
...
int GetValue() const;
void SetValue();
...
};
class ConfigManager
{
public:
...
Settings* GetSettings() const;
private:
Settings* s_;
};
Now, ConfigManager::GetSettings should return pointer to non-const
Settings, so caller can modify the settings. The question is whether
SetSettings itself should be const member or not?
Given the code above, it doesn't really matter, because it doesn't make
much difference (at least to me). Observable, non-observable state
etc... I couldn't find one srtrong argument for going one way or
another. I'm also reluctant having two different methods, one const and
another non-const.
Can anybody can give me a good reason for using (or not using) const?
I try to use const on a member whenever I can. It's a strong indication
about the object's invariant, and it helps checking the internals of the
class in addition to its clients.
Andrei
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