C++: Should I use 'typedef' or 'using namespace'?

Question

question from:https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10331562/c-should-i-use-typedef-or-using-namespace

Answer 1

The two options you state are not equivalent. This one:

using namespace project1::namespace1;

pulls in everything from the namespace, giving you little control and making clashes likely. I see only cons, and no pros here.

But you don't need to use a typedef to bring in a single symbol, you can use

using project1::namespace1::class1;

Whether you use this or the typedef doesn't make too much of a difference. But bear in mind that typedef is limited to types and enumerations, whereas using can refer to values, functions, etc:

namespace X {
  const int x{42};
  enum Fruit{Apple, Pear};
}

using X::x; // OK
typedef X::x xx; // Error! 'x' in namespace 'X' does not name a type

so the two expressions are not completely equivalent.