What does the const in this function mean in UML?

[keh k lenge]

length() const : int

I get that int is the return type here but what is the keyword const after the function? What does it even mean?

[mbozzi]

My guess is that it means length() does not mutate the object *this.
In other words, you can call foo.length() when foo is const. This is consistent with the C++ notation for a const-qualified method.

In UML speak, perhaps this has something to do with the isQuery attribute, which specifies an operation

• causes no changes or side-effects to the system.

https://users.csc.calpoly.edu/~djanzen/courses/402F09/presentations/UML.pdf

N.B., this is conjecture - I don't have any use for UML.

[48T7M4Gy]

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3926929/const-function-specification-in-uml