How does the Comma Operator work
How does the comma operator work in C++?
For instance, if I do:
a = b, c;
Does a end up equaling b or c?
(Yes, I know this is easy to test - just documenting on here for someone to find the answer quickly.)
Update: This question has exposed a nuance when using the comma operator. Just to document this:
a = b, c; // a is set to the value of b!
a = (b, c); // a is set to the value of c!
This question was actually inspired by a typo in code. What was intended to be
a = b;
c = d;
Turned into
a = b, // <- Note comma typo!
c = d;
Answer
Take care to notice that the comma operator may be overloaded in C++. The actual behaviour may thus be very different from the one expected.
As an example, Boost.Spirit uses the comma operator quite cleverly to implement list initializers for symbol tables. Thus, it makes the following syntax possible and meaningful:
keywords = "and", "or", "not", "xor";
Notice that due to operator precedence, the code is (intentionally!) identical to
(((keywords = "and"), "or"), "not"), "xor";
That is, the first operator called is keywords.operator =("and") which returns a proxy object on which the remaining operator,s are invoked:
keywords.operator =("and").operator ,("or").operator ,("not").operator ,("xor");