[npsimons]

Not to mention that it's essential for initializing some constant variables; I have yet to find a better way to do:

  const int count = argc > 1 ? atoi(argv[1]) : 1000000;

For quick test programs where I might want to change some number of iterations without having to recompile, but I also don't want to have to provide an argument every time I run it.

[johnbellone]

You're assuming that the first argument here is an integer value. For a single, one off, testing haress application I wouldn't worry too much about applying a full-blown semantic code style.

Is there anything wrong with keeping the default value as a separate constant?

  const int kDefaultValue = 1000000;
  int value = kDefaultValue;
  if (argc > 1) {
    value = std::atoi(argv[1]);
  }
  const int count = value;

Personally I much prefer using [program options][1] from the boost project (since we are talking about C++ here). Most projects already have this as a dependency, and its quite easy to setup. It also properly handles your types.

[1]: http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_52_0/doc/html/program_option...

[npsimons]

Perhaps I should have clarified: when I said quick test program, I was referring to something I would write to convince myself of some minor detail (sometimes just checking compiler warts or algorithm performance) and that piece of code would never be seen or run by anyone but me. I know that the first argument will always be an integer, because I'm the only one who will pass it arguments! I'm also (kind of unreasonably) a const nazi. So given the option, where I can take a shortcut (I know, bad, bad programmer), but still do "proper" programming (consting everything by default is my SOP), I'll do it. And I'll never release that code (I'm starting to regret posting that snippet here . . .).

I will agree, though, option parsing libraries are a definite must for released software. I like Boost, but using even small parts of it tends to pull everything in, and at least for my current project, we are trying to minimize dependencies (it's a library). I had to fight for Boost::regex, and only got it as a fallback for compiler versions that don't have regex.

[johnbellone]

I wasn't lambasting you, and I wouldn't ever regret posting a snippet. It helps drive the conversation.

I understand and agree with Boost injecting a whole lot of dependencies, and for a small testing library or executable I would probably got the same route that you did. I'm also a pedantic const nazi at times, and merely replied back as it makes me feel that, in some else's code, they may find this useful.

If you take a look at the Doom3 code there are even places where they stray from the code style guide when it makes sense. I'm more of a proponent of "in the moment" styling to make sure that it matches the rest of the project, or at the very least, component that I am working on.