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Everything about Const

Type qualifier denoting the data as being read-only

In some programming languages, const is a type qualifier that indicates that the data is read-only. While this can be used to declare constants, const in the C family of languages differs from similar constructs in other languages in that it is part of the type, and thus has complicated behavior when combined with pointers, references, composite data types, and type-checking. In other languages, the data is not in a single memory location, but copied at compile time for each use. Languages which use it include C, C++, D, JavaScript, Julia, and Rust. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: ConstA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Efficacy and Safety of Elobixibat in Parkinson's Disease with Chronic Constipation: CONST‐PD StudyInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: Aurea bulla Karoli 4 Rom. imperatoris ...The most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Evidence supporting the approximation γρ = const for the Grüneisen parameter of the Earth's lower mantleCited 108 times
  5. Go sideways: Immutable objectA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Constant (computer programming)A closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A variable whose value cannot be changed directly.

Adjective Whose value cannot be changed directly.

Adjective Which cannot change the value of its class’s attributes.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Introduction
  2. Consequences
  3. Distinction from constants
  4. Other uses
  5. Syntax
  6. C++
  7. Loopholes to const-correctness
  8. Problems
  9. D
  10. History
  11. Other languages

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics