auto storage class - infer or RAII?

[Don Clugston]

Kristian Kilpi wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:17:32 +0200, Bill Baxter <wbaxter at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Kristian Kilpi wrote:
>>> On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:40:23 +0200, JC <johnch_atms at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>>> Also I don't like this syntax. All variables should always be 
>>>>> declared  at
>>>>> the begining of blocks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> According to whom? That's a style thing, not a rule.
>>>>
>>>  Yes, that was just my humble opinion. :)
>>>  I just think that it would be consistent if all the variables will 
>>> be  declared in the same place.
>>
>> You're free to have your opinion, but the C++ books I've read disagree 
>> with you.    The ones I've read advocate declaring variables as close 
>> to the point of usage as possible.  (Can't remember which books 
>> exactly, but probably Stroustrup and/or Meyers' books.)
>>
>> --bb
> 
> Hehheh. Ok, I think I understant the point behind that. Well, I guess 
> both the styles have their own advantages and disadvantages. The style 
> where one declares (almost) all the variables at the begining of the 
> (main) block works for me. Sorry for assuming that this style is the 
> Correct Way(TM)... ;)

It used to be the only way that worked. Early C compilers couldn't cope 
with variables declared elsewhere. That restriction is long gone, now.