I guess you’re missing something, here. static function? Declaring a function static will make it “hidden” in its compilation unit. A name having namespace scope (3.3.6) has internal linkage if it is the name of — a variable, function or function template that is explicitly declared static; 3.5/3 – C++14 (n3797) When a name has … Read more
It means one thing and one thing only: that the compiler will elide multiple definitions of the function. A function normally cannot be defined multiple times (i.e. if you place a non-inline function definition into a header and then #include it into multiple compilation units you will receive a linker error). Marking the function definition … Read more
Performance As has been suggested in previous answers, use of the inline keyword can make code faster by inlining function calls, often at the expense of increased executables. “Inlining function calls” just means substituting the call to the target function with the actual code of the function, after filling in the arguments accordingly. However, modern … Read more
I wasn’t sure about your claim: Smaller functions are automatically “inlined” by optimizer irrespective of inline is mentioned or not… It’s quite clear that the user doesn’t have any control over function “inlining” with the use of keyword inline. I’ve heard that compilers are free to ignore your inline request, but I didn’t think they … Read more
The definition of an inline function doesn’t have to be in a header file but, because of the one definition rule (ODR) for inline functions, an identical definition for the function must exist in every translation unit that uses it. The easiest way to achieve this is by putting the definition in a header file. … Read more
Advantages By inlining your code where it is needed, your program will spend less time in the function call and return parts. It is supposed to make your code go faster, even as it goes larger (see below). Inlining trivial accessors could be an example of effective inlining. By marking it as inline, you can … Read more
It worth pointing out that the inline keyword is actually just a hint to the compiler. The compiler may ignore the inline and simply generate code for the function someplace. The main drawback to inline functions is that it can increase the size of your executable (depending on the number of instantiations). This can be … Read more
I wasn’t sure about your claim: Smaller functions are automatically “inlined” by optimizer irrespective of inline is mentioned or not… It’s quite clear that the user doesn’t have any control over function “inlining” with the use of keyword inline. I’ve heard that compilers are free to ignore your inline request, but I didn’t think they … Read more
A function definition with static inline defines an inline function with internal linkage. Such function works “as expected” from the “usual” properties of these qualifiers: static gives it internal linkage and inline makes it inline. So, this function is “local” to a translation unit and inline in it. A function definition with just inline defines … Read more
You know better than the compiler only when your profiling data tells you so.