'C++ why declare member function const

I understand that specifying a member function "const" allows us to call it from a const object, but why do we have to explicitly write "const" next to the member function? Why can't the compiler figure out that

int getFoo() {
  return m_foo;
}

is indeed "const" for all intents and purposes?

c++member-functions


Solution 1:[1]

Because C++ allows declarations to be in different places to definitions.

If all you have is

class Bar {
    int m_foo;
public:
    int getFoo();
};

can you safely call getFoo on a const Bar?

Sources

This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Overflow and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Source: Stack Overflow

Solution Source
Solution 1 Caleth

Related Questions