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Reserved words

The syntax rules (or grammar) of C++ define certain symbols to have a unique meaning within a C++ program. These symbols, the reserved words, must not be used for any other purposes. The reserved words already used are int and void. All reserved words are in lower-case letters. The table below lists the reserved words of C++. C++ Reserved Words
and and_eq asm auto bitand
bitor bool break case catch
char class const const_cast continue
default delete do double dynamic_cast
else enum explicit export extern
false float for friend goto
if inline int long mutable
namespace new not not_eq operator
or or_eq private protected public
register reinterpret_cast return short signed
sizeof static static_cast struct switch
template this throw true try
typedef typeid typename union unsigned
using virtual void volatile wchar_t
while xor xor_eq
Some of these reserved words may not be treated as reserved by older compilers. However you would do well to avoid their use. Other compilers may add their own reserved words. Typical are those used by Borland compilers for the PC, which add near, far, huge, cdecl, and pascal.

Notice that main is not a reserved word. However, this is a fairly technical distinction, and for practical purposes you are advised to treat main, cin, and cout as if they were reserved as well.


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