Common Errors with const in C++
A Comprehensive Guide to Compiler Errors and Fixes
Mohamed KHABOU
March 5, 2025
Mohamed KHABOU Common Errors with const in C++ March 5, 2025 1 / 15
Objective
Objective
▶ Understand common errors related to the const keyword in C++.
▶ Learn how to interpret compiler error messages.
▶ Explore fixes and best practices for using const.
Mohamed KHABOU Common Errors with const in C++ March 5, 2025 2 / 15
Error 1: Modifying a const Argument
Error 1: Modifying a const Argument
▶ Attempting to modify a const parameter inside a method.
void printValue ( const int x ) {
x = 10; // Error : Cannot modify ’ const ’ parameter
}
error : assignment of read - only parameter ’x ’
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Error 1: Modifying a const Argument
Fix for Error 1: Modifying a const Argument
▶ Do not modify const arguments. Use them as read-only.
void printValue ( const int x ) {
std :: cout << x ; // Correct : Use ’x ’ as read - only
}
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Error 2: Calling Non-const Methods on const Objects
Error 2: Calling Non-const Methods on const Objects
▶ Attempting to call a non-const method on a const object.
class MyClass {
public :
void n onConstMethod () { /* ... */ }
void constMethod () const { /* ... */ }
};
void example ( const MyClass & obj ) {
obj . no nConstMethod () ; // Error : Cannot call non - const method on const object
}
error : passing ’ const MyClass ’ as ’ this ’ argument discards qualifiers
Mohamed KHABOU Common Errors with const in C++ March 5, 2025 5 / 15
Error 2: Calling Non-const Methods on const Objects
Fix for Error 2: Calling Non-const Methods on const
Objects
▶ Mark the method as const if it does not modify the object.
class MyClass {
public :
void n onConstMethod () const { /* ... */ } // Marked as const
};
void example ( const MyClass & obj ) {
obj . no nConstMethod () ; // Correct : Method is now const
}
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Error 3: Returning Non-const References from const Methods
Error 3: Returning Non-const References from const
Methods
▶ Attempting to return a non-const reference from a const method.
class MyClass {
int value ;
public :
int & getValue () const {
return value ; // Error : Cannot return non - const reference from const
method
}
};
error : binding reference of type ’ int & ’ to ’ const int ’ discards qualifiers
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Error 3: Returning Non-const References from const Methods
Fix for Error 3: Returning Non-const References from
const Methods
▶ Return a const reference or a copy instead.
class MyClass {
int value ;
public :
const int & getValue () const {
return value ; // Correct : Return a const reference
}
};
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Error 4: Overloading Based on const for Pass-by-Value
Arguments
Error 4: Overloading Based on const for Pass-by-Value
Arguments
▶ Attempting to overload a function based solely on the const qualifier for pass-
by-value arguments.
void func ( int x ) { /* ... */ }
void func ( const int x ) { /* ... */ } // Error : Redefinition of ’ func ’
error : redefinition of ’ void func ( int ) ’
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Error 4: Overloading Based on const for Pass-by-Value
Arguments
Fix for Error 4: Overloading Based on const for
Pass-by-Value Arguments
▶ Avoid overloading based on const for pass-by-value arguments.
Use pass-by-reference instead.
void func ( int & x ) { /* ... */ }
void func ( const int & x ) { /* ... */ } // Correct : Overloading based on const
reference
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Error 5: Binding Non-const References to const Arguments
Error 5: Binding Non-const References to const
Arguments
▶ Attempting to bind a non-const reference to a const argument.
void func ( int & x ) { /* ... */ }
void example ( const int y ) {
func ( y ) ; // Error : Cannot bind non - const reference to const argument
}
error : invalid initialization of reference of type ’ int & ’ from expression of type ’
const int ’
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Error 5: Binding Non-const References to const Arguments
Fix for Error 5: Binding Non-const References to const
Arguments
▶ Use a const reference or pass by value instead.
void func ( const int & x ) { /* ... */ } // Correct : Use const reference
void example ( const int y ) {
func ( y ) ; // Correct : Binding const reference to const argument
}
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Error 6: Modifying a Member Variable Inside a const Method
Error 6: Modifying a Member Variable Inside a const
Method
▶ Attempting to modify a member variable inside a const method.
class MyClass {
int value ;
public :
void modifyValue () const {
value = 10; // Error : Cannot modify a member inside a const method
}
};
error : assignment of member ’ MyClass :: value ’ in read - only object
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Error 6: Modifying a Member Variable Inside a const Method
Fix for Error 6: Modifying a Member Variable Inside a
const Method
▶ Use the mutable keyword if the member must be modified in a
const method.
class MyClass {
mutable int value ; // Marked as mutable
public :
void modifyValue () const {
value = 10; // Correct : ’ value ’ is mutable
}
};
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Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
▶ The const keyword ensures immutability and improves code safety.
▶ Common errors include modifying const arguments, calling non-const meth-
ods on const objects, and returning non-const references from const meth-
ods.
▶ Follow best practices to write clean and efficient C++ code.
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