Talk:Constant (computer programming)

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Inaccurate definition

can a constant be a kind of variable ? maybe it is a data type. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.137.200.8 (talk) 17:40, 19 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Inaccurate introduction

"In computer programming, a constant is a special kind of variable whose value cannot be altered during program execution." This isn't completely accurate as there are exceptions to the 'rule'. The following C++ code will change the value of a constant:

const int a = 1;
int *ptr_a = (int*)(&a);
cout << a; // outputs 1
*ptr_a = 2; // legal statement
cout << a; // outputs 2

It is also possible to change a #define defined symbolic constant much easier. Andrew (talk) 00:12, 30 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]