Runtime and Compile-time constants in C++
Run-time Constant:
These are the constants whose respective values can only be known or computed at the time of running of source code. Run time Constants are a bit slower than compile-time constants but are more flexible than compile-time constants. However, once it is initialized, the value of these constants can’t be changed.
Below is the program for illustration of Runtime constants:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
double electonmass;
cin >> electonmass;
const double electon_mass{ electonmass };
cout << electon_mass << endl;
return 0;
}
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Compile-time Constant:
These are the constants whose respective value is known or computed at the time of compilation of source code. Compile-time constants are faster than run-time constants but are less flexible than run-time constants.
Below is the program for illustration of Compile-time Constant:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
const double electron_q{ 1.6e-19 };
cout << electron_q << endl;
return 0;
}
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Difference between Run-time and Compile-time constants
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Compile-time constants |
Run-time constants |
1. |
A compile-time constant is a value that is computed at the compilation-time. |
Whereas, A runtime constant is a value that is computed only at the time when the program is running. |
2. |
A compile-time constant will have the same value each time when the source code is run. |
A runtime constant can have a different value each time the source code is run.
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3 |
It is generally used while declaring an array size.
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It is not preferred for declaring an array size.
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4 |
If you use const int size = 5 for defining a case expression it would run smoothly and won’t produce any compile-time error. |
Here, if you use run-time constant in your source code for defining case expression then it will yield a compile-time error. |
5 |
It does not produces any compile time error when used for initializing an enumerator.
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Same compilation error, if runtime constant is used for initializing an enumerator.
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Last Updated :
19 Oct, 2020
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