Const (Member)
Specifies that a member procedure is read only.
Syntax
`
Type typename
Declare Const Sub|Function|Property|Operator ...
End Type
[Const] Sub|Function|... typename ...
...
End Sub|Function|...
`
Description
Specifies that a method does not change the object it is called on. The hidden `This` parameter will be considered read-only. The declaration can be read as 'invoking a const method promises not to change the object', and the compiler will error if the member procedure tries to change any of the data fields, or calls a non-const member procedure.
Read-only (`Const`) declarations are a measure of type safety that can be read as 'promises not to change.' The compiler uses the const declarations to check operations on variables and parameters and generate an error at compile time if their data could potentially change. There is no runtime overhead for using `Const` qualifiers since all of the checks are made at compile time.
Constructors and destructors cannot be `Const` (not useful).
Member procedures can not be both `Const` and `Static` since static member procedures do not have a hidden `This` parameter.
For methods with `Const` in their declaration, `Const` can also be specified on the corresponding method bodies, for improved code readability.
Example
`
'' Const Member Procedures
Type foo
x As Integer
c As Const Integer = 0
Declare Const Sub Inspect1()
Declare Const Sub Inspect2()
Declare Sub Mutate1()
Declare Sub Mutate2()
End Type
''
Sub foo.Mutate1()
'' we can change non-const data fields
x = 1
'' but we still can't change const data
'' fields, they are promised not to change
'' c = 1 '' Compile error
End Sub
''
Sub foo.Mutate2()
'' we can call const members
Inspect1()
'' and non-const members
Mutate1()
End Sub
''
Sub foo.Inspect1()
'' can use data members
Dim y As Integer
y = c + x
'' but not change them because Inspect1()
'' is const and promises not to change foo
'' x = 10 '' Compile error
End Sub
''
Sub foo.Inspect2()
'' we can call const members
Inspect1()
'' but not non-const members
'' Mutate1() '' Compile error
End Sub
`
Differences from QB

- New to FreeBASIC

See also

- `Const`
- `Const (Qualifier)`
- `Dim`
- `Type`