In C++ Classes play a fundamental role in the world of object-oriented programming. A class is a user-defined data type that encapsulates data and functions, providing a blueprint to create objects.Understanding classes is essential for any C++ developer as they form the basis of modern software design.
About Class in C++
Classes are defined using the class keyword followed by the class name and a set of curly braces. Within the braces, we declare class members, such as data members and member functions. Access specifiers like public, private, and protected determine the visibility of class members.
Class Syntax and Declaration :
Classes are defined using the class keyword followed by the class name and a set of curly braces. Within the braces, we declare class members, such as data members and member functions. Access specifiers like public, private, and protected determine the visibility of class members.
Constructors and Destructors
Constructors are special member functions used to initialize objects when they are created. They have the same name as the class and do not have a return type. On the other hand, destructors are used for resource cleanup when objects are destroyed.
Member Functions and Data Members
Member functions represent the behavior of a class, and data members hold the class’s state. They are accessed using the dot operator with object instances. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for designing effective classes.
Access Modifiers
C++ provides access modifiers like public, private, and protected to control the accessibility of class members. Encapsulation ensures that data is hidden and can only be manipulated through public member functions.
Class Inheritance
Inheritance allows a class (subclass) to inherit properties and behaviors from another class (base class). It promotes code reusability and allows developers to create hierarchical relationships between classes.
Polymorphism and Virtual Functions
Polymorphism enables objects to take on multiple forms. C++ achieves this through virtual functions, which allow the selection of the appropriate function implementation at runtime based on the object type.
Abstract Classes and Interfaces
Abstract classes serve as base classes with pure virtual functions, providing an outline for derived classes. Interfaces define a set of methods that must be implemented by classes that inherit from them.
Creating Objects
Once a class is defined, we can create objects based on that class. Each object created from the class will have its own set of data members and member functions.
Example of Class in C++
#include<iostream.h>
class Circle {
private:
double radius;
public:
Circle(double r) : radius(r) {}
double getArea() const { return 3.14 * radius * radius; }
};
// Usage: Circle circle(5); double area = circle.getArea();
Explaination :
In the above C++ code , we defines a class called “Circle” with a private member variable “radius.” It has a constructor to initialize the radius and a public member function “getArea()” to calculate and return the area of the circle using the formula 3.14 * radius * radius.