Constant Member Functions

C++ Specific

Declaring a member function with the const keyword specifies that the function is a "read-only" function that does not modify the object for which it is called.

To declare a constant member function, place the const keyword after the closing parenthesis of the argument list. The const keyword is required in both the declaration and the definition. A constant member function cannot modify any data members or call any member functions that aren't constant.

END C++ Specific

Example

// Example of a constant member function
class Date
{
public:
   Date( int mn, int dy, int yr );
   int getMonth() const;       // A read-only function
   void setMonth( int mn );    // A write function;
                               //    cannot be const
private:
   int month;
};

int Date::getMonth() const
{
   return month;        // Doesn't modify anything
}
void Date::setMonth( int mn )
{
   month = mn;          // Modifies data member
}

From:http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Aa298964