C++ - Why static member function can't be created with 'const' qualifier

When you apply the const qualifier to a nonstatic member function, it affects the this pointer. For a const-qualified member function of class C, the this pointer is of type C const*, whereas for a member function that is not const-qualified, the this pointer is of type C*.

A static member function does not have a this pointer (such a function is not called on a particular instance of a class), so const qualification of a static member function doesn't make any sense.


I agree with your question, but unfortunately the C++ is designed that way. For example:

class A {
  int i;         //<--- accessed with 'this'
  static int s;  //<---- accessed without 'this'
public:
  static void foo ()  const // <-- imaginary const
  {}
};

As of today, the const is considered in context of this. In a way, it's narrow. It can be made broader by applying this const beyond this pointer.
i.e. the "proposed" const, which may also apply to static functions, will restrict the static members from any modification.

In the example code, if foo() can be made const, then in that function, A::s cannot be modified. I can't see any language side effects, if this rule is added to standard. On the contrary, it's amusing that why such rule doesn't exist!