In-line Functions
Functions are in an invaluable feature of any programming
language. The only downside that functions may have is
the operating system overhead (saving information on the
stack) when a function is called. When the function is
short and frequently called, then some folks will question
whether the function overhead is worth the price.
This is often an issue in C++ class implementations since accessors
and mutators fall into this category of short functions which
are often called. C++ addresses this issue by support a feature known as the
in-line function.