C++: When (and how) are C++ Global Static Constructors Called?

Question

I\'m working on some C++ code and I\'ve run into a question which has been nagging me for a while... Assuming I\'m compiling with GCC on a Linux host for an ELF target, wher

Answer 1

According to the C++ standard they are called before any function or object of their translation unit is used. Note that for objects in the global namespace this would mean they are initialized before main() is called. (See ltcmelo's and Martin's answers for mote details and a discussion of this.)