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I often hear about the term of "compound statements" almost interchangeably used for a block, starting and ending with curly brackets of {}. I see no differences to a block.

So my Question is:

  • Is there a difference between a "block" and "compound statement"?
RobertS supports Monica Cellio
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2 Answers2

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To cite the actual C++ standard, ISO/IEC 14882:2017 (C++17), Section 9.3 "Compound statement or block":

9.3 Compound statement or block [stmt.block]

1 So that several statements can be used where one is expected, the compound statement (also, and equivalently, called “block”) is provided.

compound-statement: { statement-seqopt }

there is no difference between the terms of a block and a compound statement in their respective meaning.

You can use both terms interchangeably for a "compound" or sequence of statements (it may even be only one statement; the amount of statements doesn´t matter) starting by a "{" - opened curly bracket and terminating by a "}" - closed curly bracket.

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RobertS supports Monica Cellio
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A "block" of code, delimited by { } to indicate entry-exit points, limits the liftetime of any variables defined inside the block to that block, wheras a "compound statement" might not unless it uses { } inside it. A function definition may be construed as a "named block" of code with an entry and exit points.

srinivirt
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