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Inline Functions

  • Functions with small code can be declared as inline.
  • Wherever an inline function is called, actual function code will be replaced
  • Syntax: Put keyword inline before function definition and not in declaration. For e.g.

void swap(int& a,int& b); //declaration
inline void swap(int& a,int& b) //defintion
{
int temp;
temp = a;
a = b;
b= temp;
}

Inline Function Vs Macros
  • Unlike inline functions, macros do not have type-checking and also do not check if arguments are well-formed.
  • You cannot return a value as computation result in a macro.
  • Macro uses textual substitution, so there may be side-effects and inefficiencies due to re-evaluation of arguments and order of operators.
  • Macro expanded code is difficult to understand for compilation errors.
  • Debugging information for inline functions is more helpful
  • Sometimes, required construct cannot be written using macros or may be it will awkward to do so.

Points to Ponder
  • Member functions defined inside the class definition are inline by default.
  • Compiler decides which function to use as inline. So, even if you have declared a function inline, compiler can treat it as normal function. In this case, compiler will use calling instead of replacing the function code at the calling places.
  • Inline functions may increase the performance significantly.
  • May because inline functions increases code size to be compiled and therefore compilation time.
Bjarne Stroustrup suggests to avoid use of macros and instead use inline functions for frequently executed small functions.
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