Constructors in C++

February 16, 2023

C++ Constructors

On this page we will discuss about constructors in C++. Constructors are special functions in C++, these are used widely to initialise the objects with values for a class. Whenever any object is created at run time, the constructor is called by the compiler which initialises the defined value.

Constructors in C++

Constructors in C++ Language

Syntax

Defining Internally to the class

class Demo { 
  char c; 
  public: 
     Demo(){ 
       // Constructor declaration here 
       // User defined assignments for initialisation
  }
};

Defining Externally to the class

class Demo
{
 char c;
 public:
   Demo(); 
     //Constructor Declared here
};

Demo::Demo()   
// Constructor definition here
{
    // initialisation of values by the user
    char = "PrepInsta";
}

Why Constructors are used?

  • When an object is created, the memory is assigned the object entities and some garbage values are assigned to those.
  • These garbage values may cause hinderance in the programs, as it may be needed to only assign very specific values to entities/data.
  • Constructors do not have any return argument.
  • They have the same name as the name of the class and are enclosed within the class
  • C++ has its own version of constructor which assigns some garbage or random values to object entities.

Types of Constructors –

The following are the types of constructors in C++ –

  • Default
  • Parameterized
  • Copy

Loop Types in C++

Decision Making in C++

Array in C++

String in C++

Function in C++

Default Constructors

  • Highlights – No Passing Arguments in the constructor.

For Example –

Run 
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class Demo
{
   public:
        int i;
        Demo(){
            i=8000;
          }
};

int main()
{
  Demo  demo;
  cout << demo.i;

return 0;
}

Output

8000

The constructor, will be called and assign the value of i as 8000.

Parameterised Constructors

  • Highlights – Arguments are passed with the constructor.

For example –

Run 
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class Demo
{
  public:
    int i;
    Demo(int val)
    {
       i=val;
    }
};
int main()
{
    //setting parameterised values
    Demo demo(6000);
    Demo demo2(12000);
    cout << demo.i<<endl;;
    cout << demo2.i;

return 0;
}

Output

6000 
12000

Copy Constructors

  • Highlights – Arguments are passed as objects and object is copied as instantiated as a new object.
  • The object can be passed in multiple ways
    • Demo d2 = d1;
    • Demo d3(d1);
  • While the following doesn’t call the copy constructor but only assigns the value with the help of assignment operator
    • Demo d4;
    • d4 = d1

For example –

Run 
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class Demo 
{ 
   private: 
    int a, b; 
    public: 
    Demo()
    { }
    Demo(int a1, int b1) { 
     a = a1; 
     b = b1; 
    } 
    // Copy constructor example here
    Demo(const Demo &d2) 
    {
        a = d2.a; 
        b = d2.b;
   } 

    int getA()            
    {  
        return a; 

    } 
    int getB()            
    {  
        return b; 

    } 
}; 

int main() 
{ 
    Demo d1(5000, 6000); 
    
    // We have called a copy constructor 
    Demo d2 = d1; 

    // We have called a copy constructor     
    Demo d3(d1);
    Demo d4;

    // Assignment operation happens there is no call to copy constructor
    d4 = d1;

    // displaying values for both constructors 
    cout << "d1.a = " << d1.getA() << ", d1.b = " << d1.getB();
    cout << "\nd2.a = " << d2.getA() << ", d2.b = " << d2.getB(); 

    cout << "\nd3.a = " << d3.getA() << ", d3.b = " << d3.getB(); 
    cout << "\nd4.a = " << d4.getA() << ", d4.b = " << d4.getB(); 
    return 0; 
}

Output –

d1.a = 5000, d1.b = 6000
d2.a = 5000, d2.b = 6000      
d3.a = 5000, d3.b = 6000
d4.a = 5000, d4.b = 6000

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