The inline function is a function used in C to suggest that the compiler expand inline to reduce call overhead; 1. It improves efficiency by inserting the function body directly into the call, and is suitable for short and frequent calls; 2. Compared with macro definitions, the inline function has type safety and scope checks to avoid side effects; 3. Inline is just a suggestion, and the compiler can ignore it, especially when the function body is complex or recursive; 4. The inline function is usually defined in the header file so that the compiler can see its body at the call point; 5. The member functions defined in the class are inline by default; 6. When used in multiple files, the function needs to be declared as inline to meet the ODR rules and avoid link errors; therefore, the inline function should be used with caution, and performance should be improved only in suitable scenarios, and it must be ensured that it is defined in the header file to avoid repeated definition errors.
In C, the inline
function is a function that recommends that the compiler expand inline, with the purpose of reducing the overhead of function calls, especially for short and frequent calls. Below is a simple example of inline
function and explain its usage and considerations.

? Basic inline function examples
#include <iostream> using namespace std; // Define an inline function: find the maximum value of two numbers inline int max(int a, int b) { return (a > b) ? a : b; } int main() { int x = 10, y = 20; cout << "Max: " << max(x, y) << endl; // Call the inline function return 0; }
In this example:
- The
inline
keyword tells the compiler: try to insert the function body of themax
function directly into the call, rather than make regular function calls. - This can avoid the overhead of stack pressing and jumping of function calls, and improve efficiency (especially small functions that are frequently called).
? Why use the inline function?
- Reduce function call overhead : suitable for short and frequently called functions (such as getter/setter, mathematical calculation).
- Safer than macros : Compared with C's
#define
macro,inline
function has advantages such as type checking and scope.
For example, alternative macros:

// Not recommended: Macro definition #define MAX(a, b) ((a) > (b) ? (a) : (b)) // Recommended: inline function inline int max(int a, int b) { return a > b ? a : b; }
Macros may have side effects (such as MAX( x, y)
causing x
to be added twice), but inline
function does not.
?? Notes on inline function
-
inline
is just a suggestion that the compiler can ignore (such as function bodies are too complex or recursive). - The
inline
function is usually defined in the header file (because the compiler needs to see the function body at the call point). - The member functions defined in the class are
inline
by default:
class Calculator { public: int add(int a, int b) { return ab; // Automatic inline } };
? Use inline in multiple files (avoid repeated definition errors)
If you include the same function in multiple .cpp
files, you need to use inline
to avoid ODR (One Definition Rule) error:

math_utils.h
#ifndef MATH_UTILS_H #define MATH_UTILS_H inline int square(int x) { return x * x; } #endif
This header file can now be included in multiple .cpp
files without link errors.
Summarize
-
inline
is used to suggest compiler inline expansion functions. - Suitable for short, frequently called functions.
- Commonly used in header files to avoid side effects of macros.
- The compiler has the right to decide whether it is actually inlined.
Basically all is it, not complicated but it is easy to ignore details.
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