Smart Pointer release() const : it can set the pointer to null with the keyword "const"?

[coala]

In Smart Pointer class, we have a piece of code:

inline void release(void) const { if (mPtr) mPtr->release(); mPtr = 0;
}

It can set mPtr but it is still const?

Why could this work and why it can be compiled? We have used it for
years.

- C.

[Victor Bazarov]

coala wrote:

In Smart Pointer class, we have a piece of code:

inline void release(void) const { if (mPtr) mPtr->release(); mPtr = 0;
}

It can set mPtr but it is still const?

How is 'mPtr' declared?

Why could this work and why it can be compiled? We have used it for
years.

You've used it for years and haven't looked at the declaration? Post
the complete program distilled from your "Smart Pointer class", with
the declaration of 'mPtr' (I presume it's a data member) visible, then
we can talk.

V
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[Ivan Vecerina]

"coala" <qi*********@gmail.comwrote in message
news:11*********************@m73g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
:
: In Smart Pointer class, we have a piece of code:
:
: inline void release(void) const { if (mPtr) mPtr->release(); mPtr = 0;
: }
:
: It can set mPtr but it is still const?
If mPtr is a data member, this will only compile if mPtr
has been declared as mutable:
T* mutable mPtr;
Ivan
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Brainbench MVP for C++ <http://www.brainbench.com

[coala]

Yeah you guys are right, many thanks.

mPtr is mutable, I didn't notice that.

Sorry for that.
- C.
Victor Bazarov wrote:

coala wrote:

In Smart Pointer class, we have a piece of code:

inline void release(void) const { if (mPtr) mPtr->release(); mPtr = 0;
}

It can set mPtr but it is still const?

How is 'mPtr' declared?

Why could this work and why it can be compiled? We have used it for
years.

You've used it for years and haven't looked at the declaration? Post
the complete program distilled from your "Smart Pointer class", with
the declaration of 'mPtr' (I presume it's a data member) visible, then
we can talk.

V
--
Please remove capital 'A's when replying by e-mail
I do not respond to top-posted replies, please don't ask