Calling static function on class in C++ [duplicate]

Question

I am writing a lot of java now, so I am getting confused with the java static methods and c++ static functions.

in java, you can call a static methods from a class, and I frequently use/see it, for exmaple:

public class A{
    public void static b(){
        System.out.println("hello");
    }
}

You can do, A.b(); Can you do that in C++? If so, is it not so popular as compared to doing so in java?

In C++, you would write A::b(); which does the same thing. — Peter Lawrey
– Peter Lawrey, Commented Apr 5, 2013 at 13:38
@Jason before posting a question some effort should be made. — Joe
– Joe, Commented Apr 5, 2013 at 13:39

sh03 · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-05 13:38:23Z

5

You can do that, in C++ using the :: scope operator:

A::b();

And as pointed out, if you are having an instance a of your class A in the current scope you can also call a.b(). Calling a static method on an instance is usually confusing though, so you might want to avoid it.

answered Apr 5, 2013 at 13:38

sh03

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1 Comment

Potatoswatter Over a year ago

If you have an instance a of type A, you can also use a.b().

user995502 · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-05 13:40:53Z

2

You can use A::B()

you can also use a.B() if a is an instance of A. However that is just confusing for someone who reads the code. So just stick to A::B() for static methods to clearly show what you meant with it.

answered Apr 5, 2013 at 13:40

user995502

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