Why do some people prefer "T const&" over "const T&"?

Michael Aaron Safyan picture Michael Aaron Safyan · Apr 14, 2010 · Viewed 18.4k times · Source

So, I realize that const T& and T const& are identical and both mean a reference to a const T. In both cases, the reference is also constant (references cannot be reassigned, unlike pointers). I've observed, in my somewhat limited experience, that most C++ programmers use const T&, but I have come across a few people who use T const&. I use const T& simply because I learned it that way, and so T const& looks a little bit funny to me. What is the reason that you use the variant that you use? Do any of you work at an organization for which the coding standards mandate the use of one variant over the other?

Edit
Based on the answers, it would appear that one reason for choosing between the two is whether you want to read it like the compiler (right-to-left) or like English (left-to-right). If one reads it like the compiler, then "T const&" reads as "& (reference) const (to a constant) T (of type T)". If one reads it like English, from left-to-right, then "const T&" is read as "a constant object of type T in the form of a reference". I prefer to read it like English prose, but I can certainly see the sense in interpreting it the way that the compiler does.

No one has answered the organization or coding standards question, but I strongly suspect that most organizations do not mandate one over the other, although they might strive for consistency.

Answer

UncleBens picture UncleBens · Apr 14, 2010

I think some people simply prefer to read the declarations from right to left. const applies to the left-hand token, except when there is nothing there and it applies on the right-hand token. Hence const T& involves the "except"-clause and can perhaps be thought more complicated (in reality both should be as easy to understand).

Compare:

const T* p;  (pointer to T that is const)
T const* p;  (pointer to const T) //<- arguable more natural to read
T* const p;  (const pointer to T)