Why should default parameters be added last in C++ functions?

c++ function default calling-convention
yesraaj picture yesraaj · Jul 14, 2009 · Viewed 11k times · Source

Why should default parameters be added last in C++ functions?

Answer

Daniel Earwicker picture Daniel Earwicker · Jul 14, 2009

To simplify the language definition and keep code readable.

void foo(int x = 2, int y);

To call that and take advantage of the default value, you'd need syntax like this:

foo(, 3);

Which was probably felt to be too weird. Another alternative is specifying names in the argument list:

foo(y : 3);

A new symbol would have to be used because this already means something:

foo(y = 3); // assign 3 to y and then pass y to foo.

The naming approach was considered and rejected by the ISO committee because they were uncomfortable with introducing a new significance to parameter names outside of the function definition.

If you're interested in more C++ design rationales, read The Design and Evolution of C++ by Stroustrup.

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