How does delete deal with pointer constness?

Posted by aJ on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by aJ
Published on 2009-04-16T13:27:02Z Indexed on 2010/04/07 2:23 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 456

Filed under:

c++

|

delete-operator

I was reading this question Deleting a const pointer and wanted to know more about delete behavior. Now, as per my understanding:

delete expression works in two steps:

invoke destructor
then releases the memory (often with a call to free()) by calling operator delete.

operator delete accepts a void*. As part of a test program I overloaded operator delete and found that operator delete doesn't accept const pointer.

Since operator delete does not accept const pointer and delete internally calls operator delete, how does Deleting a const pointer work ?

Does delete uses const_cast internally?

© Stack Overflow or respective owner

Related posts about c++

Which C++ book shold I get between "C++ Primer" vs "C++ Primer Plus"

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I want to learn C++ by using Vim and MinGW as compiler. I'm interesting at "C++ Primer (4th Edition)" and "C++ Primer Plus (5th Edition)" but I don't know how about it different. It has no book store that I can review those books, so I want to know, what is the different between those book and which… >>> More
C++ : C++ Primer (Stanley Lipmann) or The C++ programming language (special edition)

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I have a Computer Science degree (long2 time ago) .. I do know Java OOP but i am now trying to pick up C++. I do have C and of course data structure using C or pascal. I have started reading Bjarne Stroustrup book (The C++ Programming Language - Special Edition) but find it extremely difficult esp… >>> More
I need help on my C++ assignment using MS Visual C++

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Ok, so I don't want you to do my homework for me, but I'm a little lost with this final assignment and need all the help I can get. Learning about programming is tough enough, but doing it online is next to impossible for me... Now, to get to the program, I am going to paste what I have so far. This… >>> More
Managed c++ std::string not accessible in unmanaged c++

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
In unmanaged c++ dll i have a function which takes constant std::string as argument Prototype : void read ( const std::string &imageSpec_ ) I call this function from managed c++ dll by passing a std::string. When i debug the unmanaged c++ code the parameter imageSpec_ shows the value correctly… >>> More
The Definitive C++ Book Guide and List

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
After more than a few questions about deciding on C++ books I thought we could make a better community wiki version. Providing QUALITY books and an approximate skill level. Maybe we can add a short blurb/description about each book that you have personally read / benefited from. Feel free to debate… >>> More

Related posts about delete-operator

new and delete operator overloading

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I am writing a simple program to understand the new and delete operator overloading. How is the size parameter passed into the new operator? For reference, here is my code: #include<iostream> #include<stdlib.h> #include<malloc.h> using namespace std; class loc{ private: … >>> More
C++ delete[] operator

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Is this the right way to use delete[] operator? int* a=new int[size]; delete[] a; If yes, Who (compiler or GC or whoever) will determine the size of the newly created array? and where will it store the array size? Thanks >>> More
How does delete[] operator know the size of an array ?

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hello everybody, I was wondering how does delete[] operator know the size of an array, in this case (for instance) : int* foo = new int[42]; delete[] foo; Thanks in advance >>> More
How does delete deal with pointer constness?

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I was reading this question Deleting a const pointer and wanted to know more about delete behavior. Now, as per my understanding: delete expression works in two steps: invoke destructor then releases the memory (often with a call to free()) by calling operator delete. operator delete accepts… >>> More
Who calls the Destructor of the class when operator delete is used in multiple inheritance.

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
This question may sound too silly, however , I don't find concrete answer any where else. With little knowledge on how late binding works and virtual keyword used in inheritance. As in the code sample, when in case of inheritance where a base class pointer pointing to a derived class object created… >>> More