Using variables defined in an anonymous namespace in another namespace

Question

I have this in a .cpp file:

namespace {
    std::string CListName;
}

namespace EXAMPLE_NS {
    CListName = "ListName";
    ...

But Eclipse highlights the assignment as a Syntax Error. I take it you can't use an anonymous namespace from another namespace?

So I moved the assignment statements inside the constructor within the EXAMPLE_NS, seems to have sorted out the eclipse error and clicking the var name highlights the anonymous name also. — MeanwhileInHell
– MeanwhileInHell, Commented Aug 25, 2011 at 17:09

James McNellis · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-25 17:06:39Z

7

CListName = "ListName"; is a statement (specifically, it's an assignment expression, which is an expression statement).

A statement cannot appear at namespace scope; you need to put the statement into a function.

answered Aug 25, 2011 at 17:06

James McNellis

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Comments

Carl Norum · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-25 17:06:57Z

3

What you have there is a syntax error, but it's not a problem with the namespace. What you have there is an assignment statement outside of any function or method. GCC tells me:

error: expected constructor, destructor, or type conversion before ‘=’ token

When trying to compile your snippet. Clang has a better message:

error: C++ requires a type specifier for all declarations
    CListName = "ListName";
    ^~~~~~~~~
1 error generated.

It all means the same thing, though - you can't have statements outside of functions!

answered Aug 25, 2011 at 17:06

Carl Norum

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rodrigo · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-25 17:05:45Z

-1

Yes, you can. Anonymous namespaces are the C++ way to remove the external linkage of the objects declared inside.

So I'd say it is a bug in the Eclipse syntax highlight.

Of course, you are doing the assignment into a function, not typed here for brevity, aren't you?

answered Aug 25, 2011 at 17:05

rodrigo

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1 Comment

Lightness Races in Orbit Over a year ago

There is no bug here. You can't just assign things at namespace scope.

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