Calling function with parenthesis around its name using C++

Question

I found code in boost similar to:

class A
{
    stats stat;
public:
    int min() const{ return (stat.min)(); }
};

...

int stats::min()
{
...
}

Why are parenthesis here? I know that it can be used for "most vexing parse" and to prohibit ADL. But maybe something else? Thanks in advance!

You mean the `(stat.min)` in the `return (stat.min)();` statement? There's absolutely no need for them, except if the original coder didn't trust the operator precedence to do the right thing (which it does). — Some programmer dude, Nov 06 '13 at 11:55
It doesn't do anything. They were probably in the habit of wrapping function names in parens to avoid ADL and they just ended up using them here too. — Simple, Nov 06 '13 at 11:56

score 14 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:06

14

It's done because windows.h (Windows platform) has #defines for both min and max. See here for more info: How to tame the Windows headers (useful defines)? and https://stackoverflow.com/a/13420838/297451

edited May 23 '17 at 12:06

Community

answered Nov 06 '13 at 11:58

Jon

O ye! Thank you so much! I don't know if I can vote, but I would like to set you max ball! – user2319183 Nov 06 '13 at 12:01

1 Answers1