Where to put default parameter value in C++?

You can do either, but never both. Usually you do it at function declaration and then all callers can use that default value. However you can do that at function definition instead and then only those who see the definition will be able to use the default value.


Default parameter values must appear on the declaration, since that is the only thing that the caller sees.

EDIT: As others point out, you can have the argument on the definition, but I would advise writing all code as if that wasn't true.


C++ places the default parameter logic in the calling side, this means that if the default value expression cannot be computed from the calling place, then the default value cannot be used.

Other compilation units normally just include the declaration so default value expressions placed in the definition can be used only in the defining compilation unit itself (and after the definition, i.e. after the compiler sees the default value expressions).

The most useful place is in the declaration (.h) so that all users will see it.

Some people like to add the default value expressions in the implementation too (as a comment):

void foo(int x = 42,
         int y = 21);

void foo(int x /* = 42 */,
         int y /* = 21 */)
{
   ...
}

However, this means duplication and will add the possibility of having the comment out of sync with the code (what's worse than uncommented code? code with misleading comments!).