inline function in c++

The "inline" keyword in C++ is used to suggest the compiler to perform inline expansion of a function. When the compiler encounters a function call with the "inline" keyword, it replaces the function call with the actual function code at the call site. This can potentially improve performance by reducing the overhead of function calls.

Here are the steps to use the "inline" function in C++:

1. Declare the function: Begin by declaring the function you want to make inline. This is typically done in the header file (.h) or before it is used in any source file (.cpp).

2. Define the function: Next, define the function either in the header file or in a source file (.cpp). When defining the function, use the "inline" keyword before the return type and function name.

3. Use the function: Once the function is declared and defined, you can use it in your code just like any other function. The compiler will decide whether to perform inline expansion based on its optimizations.

4. Considerations: It's important to note that the "inline" keyword is just a suggestion to the compiler, and the decision to actually inline the function is up to the compiler. The compiler may choose to ignore the suggestion if it determines that inlining the function will not result in any performance improvement.

Overall, using the "inline" keyword in C++ can potentially improve performance by reducing the overhead of function calls. However, it's important to use it judiciously and only for small, frequently used functions where the benefits outweigh the potential increase in code size.