C++, Classes, Const, and strange syntax

Question

I was re-reading c++ primer(4th ed.) today - the section on member functions and const references etc, and I came up with this wierd little program:

using st         


        

Answer 1

The constructor is allowed to modify the value of a const object, yes. But if it weren't, what could it do?

Since the constructor has such access, it can "forward" it to someone else or "save" it for later. Of course, doing so might be a bad idea.

This is one instance where the safety mechanisms of C++ do not prevent you from building an ill-formed program. C++ is anything but foolproof. So, just be careful!