Re: global variables - an alternate approach

From:
"Martin B." <0xCDCDCDCD@gmx.at>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.c++.moderated
Date:
Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:24:09 CST
Message-ID:
<hl6naa$4b0$1@news.eternal-september.org>
On 13.02.2010 04:40, forums_mp@hotmail.com wrote:

For starters the emphasis is on 'global' variables common to muliple
translation units

Coding standard states that global variables should be defined as
static variables' within a class at public scope. One instance of
this class should exist and the recommendation is to use the singleton
design patten. IOW:


You did *not* define global variables, but global constants. Depending
on the type, constness and usage of the global objects, different
approaches might make sense.

(....)
    static int const a = 5 ;
    static const double pi ;
    static
    common_data_b& intance() {
      static common_data_b cd_b;
      return cd_b;
    }
(....)
OK!! But what's the difference if I did:
(....)
class common_data_a {
public :
    static int const a = 5;
    static const double pi ;
};
(....)
I'm not seeing the value added surrounding the singleton design
pattern. In my view the common_data_a (alternate) approach suffices.
Am I wrong?


In you case I would do:
namespace my_consts {
   static int const a = 5;
   static double const pi = 3.141;
}

The singleton approach makes sense when your global object (be it a
const or a variable) should only be constructed if used:

class MyConsts {
   const LargeInteger a;
   const RealNumber pi;
   MyConsts()
   : a("5000100200300400500600700800900")
   , pi("3.14159265358979323846264338327950288")
   { }
public:
   MyConsts const& instance() {
     // Threading issues aside, this will only call the ctor of MyConsts
     // the first time instance() is called:
     static MyConsts obj;
     return obj;
   }
};

br,
Martin

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