[Solved] pointer to out of scope const

[Joanna from IRC]

I have a class which contains a variable; ar_checkbox_captions:tstringarray;

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1.   PROCEDURE TINI_CHECKCOMBOBOX.TEST;
2.            const ar:array [0..5] of string = ('1','2','3','4','5','6');
3. BEGIN
4. AR_CHECKBOX_CAPTIONS:= AR;
5. LOAD;
6. END;  

The ar_checkbox_captions starts with zero values and is initially set to nil. After I assign it to the const ar and leave the test procedure the values continue to be valid even though the array is no longer in scope. Did it make a copy of ar ? or is the information from ar still being used even though its no longer in scope?

[marcov]

The AR array is typed, so is a constant that has an address in data memory somewhere, and is not on the stack.

If tstringarray is a pointer, then the address of the constant is stored in it, and can be referenced outside.

Not languagewise elegant, but safe.

[Joanna from IRC]

That’s interesting. So the constant inside a procedure exists for the life of the program execution. That explains it. Thanks .

[440bx]

That’s interesting. So the constant inside a procedure exists for the life of the program execution. That explains it. Thanks .

Note that depending on the setting of the $J directive that "constant" may be a variable (writable constant)

[Joanna from IRC]

That’s interesting. So the constant inside a procedure exists for the life of the program execution. That explains it. Thanks .

Note that depending on the setting of the $J directive that "constant" may be a variable (writable constant)

I  assume that this directive only applies to typed. Constants?

[440bx]

I  assume that this directive only applies to typed. Constants?

Correct.