   g++ cygwin "cannot appear in constant-expression" error
  I'm working on a windows machine using cygwin with g++ version 3.4.4Dynamically allocating a 3d array I'm getting the errornext2.cpp:83: error: `numthick' cannot appear in a constant-expressionfollowing is relevenat code:this is where it gets defined, also notice numlamda variable:int *thickness, *wavelength, numlamda, numthick;this is the definition for the 3d array:std::complex<double> *beta;this is line 83 where I get the error, I'm attempting to ccreate the array now:  beta = new std::complex<double>[numlamda][numthick][numlayers-1];here is where numthick (also numlamda) is being populated: int lowbound, thickstep, upbound;std::cin >> lowbound >> thickstep >> upbound;numlamda = ceil((upbound-lowbound)/thickstep);numthick = ceil((upbound-lowbound)/thickstep);as far a I can tell numlamda and numthick are being treated exactly the same through the code, but one is erroring out while the other is not.  i've looked at how I'm using it and i don't see that I'm violating any convention with numthick.  yes its a global variable (i know, bad, will change later, kind of need results quick)any help appreciatedthanksjames   
  C++ requires array dimensions to be known at compile-time.  C99 on the other hand allows array dimensions to be unknown until runtime.  It would appear that numlamda is not giving you an error because gcc allows some elements of C99 in C++ code as extensions to the C++ standard.  Your best bet is to rewrite your code to use a std::vector (or nested std::vectors) or a Boost.Multi_Array.Ooops.  Ignore me (except for the advice about std::vector or Boost.Multi_Array).  Somehow I'd misread your code and completely missed the new keyword.  omgomghilol is entirely correct although std::vector/Boost.Multi_Array are far superior to manual memory management.Σnigma[Edited by - Enigma on May 29, 2006 10:44:58 AM];  Actually the problem here is that you can't use new to allocate a 2D or 3D array. You can either do:beta = new std::complex<double>[numlambda * numthick * (numlayers - 1)];And then come up with an access scheme, or do something like (pseudo-code):x **y;y = new x*[whatever];for each element of y    y = new x[whatever];Except in 3D. I highly recommend the first thing; Google will show you how to acess the elements of it (in 3D it's a bit tricky).   ;  RTFM. And then use a proper tool (such as the ones previously mentioned) rather than reinventing the wheel.   ;  "why re-invent the wheel?"  cause I was taught to learn how things worked, and that the more I knew the underpinnings of things the more I could do what I really wanted.  perhaps that's just not practical enough these days, when my goals are really something else anyway.when I took c++ in school, years ago, we never covered vectors.  I learned, or rather, got introduced to arrays, and pointers.  I never used c++ like I wanted since then.  So now I'm teaching myself, and I go on what I remember.RTFM?  I take it that means "read the (insert explicative) manual"  well I do search out the internet and attempt tp figure things out myself before I post questions. I still looking for good sources.  Thanks for your link. I've been reading it and learning alot.  I had read something that led me to believe that what I was doing was ok.after banging my head on this program for a while now, and it becoming more tangled, I'm starting over, this time using vectors and classes in this manner that I obviously never learned.if anyone can post some good resources that any c++ programmer should know, and that would be useful to any "beginning" programmer who needs to write some fairly complex code, I'd really appreciate that.thanksjames   