2.3.5. Declarations and Definitions
As we'll see in Section 2.9 (p. 67), C++ programs typically are composed of many files. In order for multiple files to access the same variable, C++ distinguishes between declarations and definitions.
A definition of a variable allocates storage for the variable and may also specify an initial value for the variable. There must be one and only one definition of a variable in a program.
A declaration makes known the type and name of the variable to the program. A definition is also a declaration: When we define a variable, we declare its name and type. We can declare a name without defining it by using the extern keyword. A declaration that is not also a definition consists of the object's name and its type preceded by the keyword extern:
extern int i; // declares but does not define i
int i; // declares and defines i
An extern declaration is not a definition and does not allocate storage. In effect, it claims that a definition of the variable exists elsewhere in the program. A variable can be declared multiple times in a program, but it must be defined only once.
A declaration may have an initializer only if it is also a definition because only a definition allocates storage. The initializer must have storage to initialize. If an initializer is present, the declaration is treated as a definition even if the declaration is labeled extern:
extern double pi = 3.1416; // definition
Despite the use of extern, this statement defines pi. Storage is allocated and initialized. An extern declaration may include an initializer only if it appears outside a function.
Because an extern that is initialized is treated as a definition, any subseqent definition of that variable is an error:
extern double pi = 3.1416; // definition
double pi; // error: redefinition of pi
Similarly, a subsequent extern declaration that has an initializer is also an error:
extern double pi = 3.1416; // definition
extern double pi; // ok: declaration not definition
extern double pi = 3.1416; // error: redefinition of pi
The distinction between a declaration and a definition may seem pedantic but in fact is quite important.
In C++ a variable must be defined exactly once and must be defined or declared before it is used.
Any variable that is used in more than one file requires declarations that are separate from the variable's definition. In such cases, one file will contain the definition for the variable. Other files that use that same variable will contain declarations forbut not a definition ofthat same variable.