• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
programming forums Java Mobile Certification Databases Caching Books Engineering Micro Controllers OS Languages Paradigms IDEs Build Tools Frameworks Application Servers Open Source This Site Careers Other Pie Elite all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
Marshals:
  • Campbell Ritchie
  • Jeanne Boyarsky
  • Ron McLeod
  • Paul Clapham
  • Liutauras Vilda
Sheriffs:
  • paul wheaton
  • Rob Spoor
  • Devaka Cooray
Saloon Keepers:
  • Stephan van Hulst
  • Tim Holloway
  • Carey Brown
  • Frits Walraven
  • Tim Moores
Bartenders:
  • Mikalai Zaikin

Compile Time Constants...

 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 86
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
What does it mean to be a compile time constant?
 
Sheriff
Posts: 13411
Firefox Browser VI Editor Redhat
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
A compile time constant is one that can't be set or changed after compilation.

Examples:


The first is a compile time constant.
The compiler knows that the value will be 1 and that it can never change.

In the second example the assignment of SET_AT_RUNTIME is delayed until the construction of the class. The compiler has no idea what SET_AT_RUNTIME will be.

In the third example the value depends on another class which could change after this class has been compiled so it isn't a compile time constant.
[ March 01, 2008: Message edited by: Ben Souther ]
 
Dan Silva
Ranch Hand
Posts: 86
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thanks!
 
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic