Why should I do something like this:
inline double square (double x) { return x * x; }
instead of
double square (double x) { return x * x; }
Is there a difference?
c++inline
Why should I do something like this:
inline double square (double x) { return x * x; }
instead of
double square (double x) { return x * x; }
Is there a difference?
Best Answer
The former (using
inline
) allows you to put that function in a header file, where it can be included in multiple source files. Usinginline
makes the identifier in file scope, much like declaring itstatic
. Without usinginline
, you would get a multiple symbol definition error from the linker.Of course, this is in addition to the hint to the compiler that the function should be compiled inline into where it is used (avoiding a function call overhead). The compiler is not required to act upon the
inline
hint.