How Can We Avoid the C Static Initialization Order Fiasco?

Avoiding the Static Initialization Order "Fiasco" in C

The infamous "static initialization order fiasco" occurs when the order in which static variables of different classes is initialized can lead to unexpected behavior. Traditionally, a common solution has been to wrap static variables in functions to control their initialization order.

However, this approach can be seen as inelegant. A more modern and pattern-oriented solution is to eliminate the use of global variables altogether.

Pattern-Oriented Solution: Avoid Global Variables

The primary cause of the "fiasco" lies in the dependency on global variables, which are initialized in an unpredictable order. By eliminating global variables, the order of initialization becomes less of a concern.

Instead of using global variables, consider using local variables within classes or passing dependencies through method calls. This allows for more explicit control over the initialization process.

Other Techniques

While avoiding global variables is the preferred solution, there are other techniques that can assist in preventing the "fiasco":

• Use Header Files for Declaring Static Variables: Define static variables in header files and include them only when necessary. This helps ensure that they are initialized in the correct order.
• Use Static Initializers: Static initializers allow you to initialize static variables directly in their declarations, which eliminates the need for constructors.
• Consider Using Static Storage Duration: Static storage duration allows you to declare variables in one compilation unit and use them in others, without requiring the use of global variables.

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