Why can you initialize a static const variable inline but not a plain static (C++)
<p>If I were to do this</p>

<pre><code>class Gone
{
    public:
    static const int a = 3;
}
</code></pre>

<p>it works but if do</p>

<pre><code>class Gone
{
    public:
    static int a = 3;
}
</code></pre>

<p>it gives a compile error. Now I know why the second one doesn't work, I just don't know why the first one does.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
