Chapter 2 Variables and Basic Types

2.3 -- Variables

C++ programs typically are composed of many files. In order for multiple files to access the same variable, C++ distinguishes between declarations and definitions.

A definition of a variable allocates storage for the variable and may also specify an initial value for the variable. There must be one and only one definition of a variable in a program.

A declaration makes known the type and name of the variable to the program. A definition is also a declaration: When we define a variable, we declare its name and type. We can declare a name without defining it by using the extern keyword. A declaration that is not also a definition consists of the object's name and its type preceded by the keyword extern:

extern int i;   // declares but does not define i
int i;          //  declares and defines i

An extern declaration is not a definition and does not allocate storage. In effect, it claims that a definition of the variable exists elsewhere in the program. A variable can be declared multiple times in a program, but it must be defined only once.

A declaration may have an initializer only if it is also a definition because only a definition allocates storage. The initializer must have storage to initialize. If an initializer is present, the declaration is treated as a definition even if the declaration is labeled extern:

extern double pi = 3.1416; //definition

Despite the use of extern, this statement defines pi. Storage is allocated and initialized. An extern declaration may include an initializer only if it appears outside a function.

NOTE: In C++ a variable must be defined exactly once and must be defined or declared before it is used.

Any variable that is used in more than one file requires declarations that are separate from the variable's definition. In such cases, one file will contain the definition for the variable. Other files that use that same variable will contain declarations but not a definition of that same variable.

2.9 -- Writing Our Own Header Files

A header provides a centralized location for related declarations. Headers normally contain class definitions,extern variable declarations, and function declarations.Files that use or define these entities include the appropriate header(s).

Proper use of header files can provide two benefits: All files are guaranteed to use the same declaration for a given entity; and should a declaration require change, only the header needs to be updated.

Beware: Because headers are included in multiple source files, they should not contain definitions of variables or functions.

There are three exceptions to the rule that headers should not contain definitions: classes,const objects whose value is known at compile time, and inline functions are all defined in headers. These entities may be defined in more than one source file as long as the definitions in each file are exactly the same.

Recall that by default a const variable is local to the file in which it is defined. As we shall now see, the reason for this default is to allow const variables to be defined in header files.

There is one important implication of this behavior. When we define a const in a header file, every source file that includes that header has its own const variable with the same name and value.