CPP Constants

Working with Constants in C++

  1. A Literal Constant is a value typed directly into your program wherever it is needed.
    It is for example:
    int age = 39; // the number 39 cannot be changed
  2. A Symbolic Constant is a constant that is represented by a name, just as a variable is represented.
    For example:
    #define membersInEachGroup 12;
    members = groups * membersInEachGroup;
    Alternative:
    const unsigned short int membersInEachGroup = 12;
    members = groups * membersOnEachGroup;
    
    The last one is typed an in many cases better to use then the first symbolic constant.
  3. A Enumerated Constant enable you to create new types and then to define variables of those types whose values are restricted to a set of possible values.
    For example:
    Source code Result
    #include <iostream>
    int main() {
      enum Months { jan, feb, mars, april, may, june,
        july, aug, sep, oct, nov, dec  };
    
      Months thisMonth= april;
    
      if (thisMonth == dec ||
        thisMonth == jan ||
        thisMonth == feb)
        std::cout << "I is Winter season!\n";
      else  if (thisMonth == mars ||
        thisMonth == april ||
        thisMonth == may )
        std::cout << "I is Spring season!\n";
      else  if (thisMonth == june ||
        thisMonth == july ||
        thisMonth == aug )
        std::cout << "I is Summer season!\n";
      else
        std::cout << "I is Autumn season!\n";
      return 0;
    }
    I is Spring season!
    

    You can download this example here (needed tools can be found in the right menu on this page).

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