Expressions

This chapter describes C++ expressions. Expressions are sequences of operators and operands that are used for one or more of these purposes:

• Computing a value from the operands.
  
  
• Designating objects or functions.
  
  
• Generating “side effects.” (Side effects are any actions other than the evaluation of the expression — for example, modifying the value of an object.)

In C++, operators can be overloaded and their meanings can be user-defined. However, their precedence and the number of operands they take cannot be modified. This chapter describes the syntax and semantics of operators as they are supplied with the language, not overloaded. The following topics are included:

• Types of expressions
  
  
• Semantics of expressions

(For more information about overloaded operators, see Overloaded Operators, in Chapter 12.)

Note   Operators for built-in types cannot be overloaded; their behavior is predefined.