misc-definitions-in-headers

Finds non-extern non-inline function and variable definitions in header files, which can lead to potential ODR violations in case these headers are included from multiple translation units.

// Foo.h
int a = 1; // Warning: variable definition.
extern int d; // OK: extern variable.

namespace N {
  int e = 2; // Warning: variable definition.
}

// Warning: variable definition.
const char* str = "foo";

// OK: internal linkage variable definitions are ignored for now.
// Although these might also cause ODR violations, we can be less certain and
// should try to keep the false-positive rate down.
static int b = 1;
const int c = 1;
const char* const str2 = "foo";
constexpr int k = 1;
namespace { int x = 1; }

// Warning: function definition.
int g() {
  return 1;
}

// OK: inline function definition is allowed to be defined multiple times.
inline int e() {
  return 1;
}

class A {
public:
  int f1() { return 1; } // OK: implicitly inline member function definition is allowed.
  int f2();

  static int d;
};

// Warning: not an inline member function definition.
int A::f2() { return 1; }

// OK: class static data member declaration is allowed.
int A::d = 1;

// OK: function template is allowed.
template<typename T>
T f3() {
  T a = 1;
  return a;
}

// Warning: full specialization of a function template is not allowed.
template <>
int f3() {
  int a = 1;
  return a;
}

template <typename T>
struct B {
  void f1();
};

// OK: member function definition of a class template is allowed.
template <typename T>
void B<T>::f1() {}

class CE {
  constexpr static int i = 5; // OK: inline variable definition.
};

inline int i = 5; // OK: inline variable definition.

constexpr int f10() { return 0; } // OK: constexpr function implies inline.

// OK: C++14 variable templates are inline.
template <class T>
constexpr T pi = T(3.1415926L);

When clang-tidy is invoked with the –fix-notes option, this check provides fixes that automatically add the inline keyword to discovered functions. Please note that the addition of the inline keyword to variables is not currently supported by this check.

Options

HeaderFileExtensions

Note: this option is deprecated, it will be removed in clang-tidy version 19. Please use the global configuration option HeaderFileExtensions.

A comma-separated list of filename extensions of header files (the filename extensions should not include “.” prefix). Default is “h,hh,hpp,hxx”. For header files without an extension, use an empty string (if there are no other desired extensions) or leave an empty element in the list. E.g., “h,hh,hpp,hxx,” (note the trailing comma).

UseHeaderFileExtension

Note: this option is deprecated, it will be removed in clang-tidy version 19. The check will unconditionally use the global option HeaderFileExtensions.

When true, the check will use the file extension to distinguish header files. Default is true.