Is static a modifier in C++?

Question

I've always thought of 'modifiers' in C++ as adjectives for a type (non-technical, easy to remember definition for myself). Strictly for the purposes of communication, would it be appropriate to refer to 'static' as a modifier?

EDIT: Just to be clear, I do understand what static is and does, I just want to know technically how to communicate what type of symbol/keyword/etc it is in a discussion. The standard doesn't seem to pin an exact tag on it, although I only searched through it briefly.

Its a **storage class** . Defines scope and lifetime. But i think it is closer to a **qualifier** . — huseyin tugrul buyukisik, Aug 30 '12 at 18:38

huseyin tugrul buyukisik · Answer 1 · 2012-08-30T19:10:23.723

There are modifiers , type qualifiers and storage classes :

Storage Classes:

auto
register
static <---------you are here!(if you ask my opinion, it is between qualifier and storage)
extern
mutable
Thread-local<-----(i learned this just now :D Thx Loki Astari)

Type qualifiers:

const
volatile
restrict
__align <------- Not sure(it says IBM)

Modifier Types:

Signed
Unsigned
Long
Short
Class access: public
Class access: private
Class access: protected

Also 'mutator functions' are intercepted as modifiers but i dont know if it is legal.

Good day.

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 30 '12 at 18:41

4

Personally I would have used the term: storage-class-specifier:

7.1.1 Storage class specifiers [dcl.stc]

storage-class-specifier:
             register
             static
             thread_local
             extern
             mutable

But in normal conversations the term "Modifier" is acceptable.

answered Aug 30 '12 at 18:41

Martin York

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Aren't those a subset of modifiers? – void.pointer Aug 30 '12 at 18:42
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@RobertDailey: The trouble is that "Modifers" is not a term used by the standard. So it is OK for casual usage as people will get what you are saying but if you want to get technical no. – Martin York Aug 30 '12 at 18:44

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 30 '12 at 18:38

0

static is a modifier that does have an effect on the code. Therefore it is appropriate to communicate it.

The two uses of static I know are for static methods and to make data file local.

answered Aug 30 '12 at 18:38

Thomas Eding

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 30 '12 at 18:40

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Yes, it is a modifier - althought it might have slightly different meaning when applied to variables, functions, methods etc. Read here for further information.

answered Aug 30 '12 at 18:40

Is static a modifier in C++?

4 Answers4