Why function parameters can not be static

Question

Can anyone please tell me that why the functions parameters can not be static? Is this the reason that function parameters are declared on Stack and gets de-allocated when function return? There is no way to retain parameter values? Just confused. Please clarify.

Thanks.

Answer 1

The keyword static can probably be seen as somewhat "overloaded".

The following usage-options are all viable:

• Static local variables
• Static global variables
• Static member variables
• Static global functions
• Static member functions

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Variables:

In terms of runtime, all types of static variables are essentially the same. They all reside in the data-section of the program, and their addresses remain constant throughout the execution of the program. So the only difference between them is during compilation, in the scope of declaration:

• Static local variable: recognized by the compiler only in the scope of the function
• Static global variable: recognized by the compiler only in the scope of the file
• Static member variable: recognized by the compiler only in the scope of the class

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Functions:

In terms of runtime, all types of functions (static and non-static) are essentially the same. They all reside in the code-section of the program, and their addresses remain constant throughout the execution of the program. So the only difference between them is during compilation, in the scope of declaration:

• Static global function: recognized by the compiler only in the scope of the file
• Static member function: recognized by the compiler only in the scope of the class

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As to your question, arguments are passed to a function in the stack. There is no sense in having them static, because that would effectively place them in the data-section. And if they are located in the data-section, then the function can simply read them from there instead of having them passed to it in the stack.