The Visual C++ programming language is made up of a large number of keywords (also referred to as reserved words) that have specific meanings. An example of a reserved word is void, which is a data type. It signals to the compiler that you plan to use functions or data in a certain way. Because it is reserved (for the compiler), you can only use the keyword in your Visual C++ applications when you follow its syntax rules. In other words, you cannot use it as a variable name or as a name for any other programming construction (such as a constant, array, structure, or function name).
Hint | A reserved word is one that Visual C++ sets aside for the specific purpose of communicating instructions to the compiler. You cannot use a reserved word in your application for variable names. |
Table 5.3 provides a listing of Visual C++ reserved words for your review.
break | case | catch | char |
class | const | const_cast | continue |
declaration | default | delete | deprecated |
directive virtual | dllexport | dllimport do | double |
dynamic_cast | else | enum | explicit |
extern | false | float | for |
friend | gcnew | goto | if |
inline | int | long | mutable |
namespace | new | noinline | noreturn |
nothrow | novtable | operator | private |
property | protected public | register | reinterpret_cast |
return | selectany short | signed | sizeof |
static | static_cast | struct | switch |
template | this | thread | throw |
true | try | typedef | typeid |
typename | union | unsigned | using |
using | void | volatile wchar_t | while |