[linux-audio-dev] newest audio server for Linux (yep, yet another)

[Nathaniel Virgo]

On Wednesday 05 February 2003 6:18 pm, Tim Hockin wrote:
> > That is a great feature of C++ but PortAudio is using 'C' not C++. So I
> > think our only choices are #define and enum. PortAudio uses both.
>
> you can still use const variables - gcc with optimizations treats them like
> defines, but with type-safety.

Consts are slightly different in standard C, though - they are treated as 
ordinary variables that can't be changed.  This means that in some non-gcc 
compilers you can't say

const int a=10;
/* ... */
   int n[a];

like you can in C++ or gcc without the --pedantic option.  That's why you'll 
often see enums used to specify array bounds in portable code.

> > Are enums better than #defines?? I am always trying to improve my 'C'
> > chops so I am open to suggestions.

only in that macros are generally a Bad Thing.

++templates_are_cool;, by the way ;)

> If you can enumerate the values, you should, IMHO.  Of course, there are
> times to break this, but in general YES.  An enum is a real type, and can
> be used as such.
>
> enum foo_cmd {
> 	FOO_A,
> 	FOO_B,
> 	FOO_C,
> };
> int doo_foo_cmd(enum foo_cmd cmd);
>
>
> Tim