Undefined reference to static constexpr char[]

c++ c++11 static-members constexpr
Pubby picture Pubby · Nov 5, 2011 · Viewed 54.6k times · Source

I want to have a static const char array in my class. GCC complained and told me I should use constexpr, although now it's telling me it's an undefined reference. If I make the array a non-member then it compiles. What is going on?

// .hpp
struct foo {
  void bar();
  static constexpr char baz[] = "quz";
};

// .cpp
void foo::bar() {
  std::string str(baz); // undefined reference to baz
}

Answer

Kerrek SB picture Kerrek SB · Nov 5, 2011

Add to your cpp file:

constexpr char foo::baz[];

Reason: You have to provide the definition of the static member as well as the declaration. The declaration and the initializer go inside the class definition, but the member definition has to be separate.

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