Constructors in C++ - GeeksforGeeks

11/16/22, 8:34 PM Constructors in C++ - GeeksforGeeks
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Constructors in C++
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Constructor in C++ is a special method that is invoked automatically at the time of
object creation. It is used to initialize the data members of new objects generally. The
constructor in C++ has the same name as the class or structure. Constructor is
invoked at the time of object creation. It constructs the values i.e. provides data for
the object which is why it is known as constructors.
Constructor does not have a return value, hence they do not have a return type.
The prototype of Constructors is as follows:
<class-name> (list-of-parameters);
Constructors can be defined inside or outside the class declaration:-
The syntax for defining the constructor within the class:
<class-name> (list-of-parameters) { // constructor definition }
The syntax for defining the constructor outside the class:
<class-name>: :<class-name> (list-of-parameters){ // constructor definiti
Example
C++
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// defining the constructor within the class
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#include <iostream>
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using namespace std; Login Register
class student {
int rno;
char name[10];
double fee;

public:
student()
{
cout << "Enter the RollNo:";
cin >> rno;
cout << "Enter the Name:";
cin >> name;
cout << "Enter the Fee:";
cin >> fee;
}

void display()
{
cout << endl << rno << "\t" << name << "\t" << fee;
}
};

int main()
{
student s; // constructor gets called automatically when
// we create the object of the class
s.display();

return 0;
}
Output
Enter the RollNo:Enter the Name:Enter the Fee:
0 6.95303e-310
Example
C++
// defining the constructor outside the class

#include
We <iostream>
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using namespace that std;
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class student {
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int rno;
char name[50];
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double fee; Login Register
public:
student();
void display();
};

student::student()
{
cout << "Enter the RollNo:";
cin >> rno;

cout << "Enter the Name:";
cin >> name;

cout << "Enter the Fee:";
cin >> fee;
}

void student::display()
{
cout << endl << rno << "\t" << name << "\t" << fee;
}

int main()
{
student s;
s.display();

return 0;
}
Output :
Enter the RollNo: 30
Enter the Name: ram
Enter the Fee: 20000
30 ram 20000
How constructors are different from a normal member function?
C++
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#include <iostream>
using namespace std; Got It !

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class Line
public:
{ Coding Journey Now! Login Register
void setLength( double len );
double getLength( void );
Line( double len ); //This is the constructor
private:
double length;
};
//Member function definition including constructor
Line::Line( double len ) {
cout<<"Object is being created , length ="<< len <<endl;
length = len;
}
void Line::setLength( double len ) {
length = len;
}
double Line::getLength( void ) {
return length;
}
//Main function for the program
int main() {
Line line(10.0);
//get initially set length
cout<<"Length of line :" << line.getLength() << endl;
//set line length again
line.setLength(6.0);
cout<<"Length of line :" << line.getLength() << endl;

return 0;
}

A constructor is different from normal functions in following ways:
Constructor has same name as the class itself
Default Constructors don’t have input argument however, Copy and Parameterized
Constructors have input arguments
Constructors don’t have return type
A constructor is automatically called when an object is created.
It must be placed in public section of class.
We If
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do not you yhave
specif the best browsingC++
a constructor, experience on our generates
compiler website. By using our site, you
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a default constructor

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for object (expects no parameters and has an empty body).
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Let us understand the types of constructors in C++ by taking a real-world example.
Suppose you went to a shop to buy a marker. When you want to buy a marker, what
are the options. The first one you go to a shop and say give me a marker. So just
saying give me a marker mean that you did not set which brand name and which color,
you didn’t mention anything just say you want a marker. So when we said just I want a
marker so whatever the frequently sold marker is there in the market or in his shop he
will simply hand over that. And this is what a default constructor is! The second
method is you go to a shop and say I want a marker a red in color and X Y Z brand. So
you are mentioning this and he will give you that marker. So in this case you have
given the parameters. And this is what a parameterized constructor is! Then the third
one you go to a shop and say I want a marker like this(a physical marker on your
hand). So the shopkeeper will see that marker. Okay, and he will give a new marker
for you. So copy of that marker. And that ’s what a copy constructor is!
Characteristic s of the constructor:
The name of the constructor is the same as its class name.
Constructors are mostly declared in the public section of the class though it can be
declared in the private section of the class.
Constructors do not return values; hence they do not have a return type.
A constructor gets called automatically when we create the object of the class.
We Constructors can be overloaded.

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Constructor can not be declared vir tual.
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Types of Constructors
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1. Default Constructors : Default constructor is the constructor which doesn’t take
any argument. It has no parameters. It is also called a zero-argument constructor.
CPP
// Cpp program to illustrate the

// concept of Constructors
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class construct {
public:
int a, b;

// Default Constructor
construct()
{
a = 10;
b = 20;
}
};

int main()
{
// Default constructor called automatically
// when the object is created
construct
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cout << "a: that you have
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" << c.b;
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}
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Output
a: 10
b: 20
Note : Even if we do not define any constructor explicitly, the compiler will
automatically provide a default constructor implicitly.
C++
// Example
#include<iostream>
class student
{
int rno;
char name[50];
double fee;
public:
student() // Explicit Default constructor
{
cout<<"Enter the RollNo:";
cin>>rno;
cout<<"Enter the Name:";
cin>>name;
cout<<"Enter the Fee:";
cin>>fee;
}

void display()
{
cout<<endl<<rno<<"\t"<<name<<"\t"<<fee;
}
};

int main()
{
student s;
s.display();
return 0;
}
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2. Parameterized Constructors : It is possible to pass arguments to constructors.
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Typically, these arguments help initialize an object when it is created. To create a
parameterized constructor, simply add parameters to it the way you would to any
other function. When you define the constructor ’s body, use the parameters to
initialize the object.
Note : when the parameterized constructor is defined and no default
constructor is defined explicitly, the compiler will not implicitly call the default
constructor and hence creating a simple object as
Student s;
Will flash an error
CPP
// CPP program to illustrate

// parameterized constructors
#include <iostream>

class Point {
private:
int x, y;

public:
// Parameterized Constructor
Point(int x1, int y1)
{
x = x1;
y = y1;
}

int getX() { return x; }
int getY() { return y; }
};

int main()
{
// Constructor called
Point p1(10, 15);
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// Access values assigned by constructor
cout << "p1.x = " << p1.getX() Got It !
<< ", p1.y = " << p1.getY();

Start Your
return
}
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Output
p1.x = 10, p1.y = 15
C++
// Example

#include<iostream>
#include<string.h>

class student
{
int rno;
char name[50];
double fee;

public:
student(int,char[],double);
void display();

};

student::student(int no,char n[],double f)
{
rno=no;
strcpy(name,n);
fee=f;
}

{
}

int main()
{
student s(1001,"Ram",10000);
s.display();
return 0;
}
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When an object is declared in a parameterized constructor, the initial values have to
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be passed as arguments to the constructor function. The normal way of object
declaration may not work. The constructors can be called explicitly or implicitly.
Example e = Example(0, 50); // Explicit call
Example e(0, 50); // Implicit call
Uses of Parameterized constructor:
1. It is used to initialize the various data elements of different objects with
different values when they are created.
2. It is used to overload constructors.
Can we have more than one constructor in a class?
Yes, It is called Constructor Overloading.
3. Copy Constructor:
A copy constructor is a member function that initializes an object using another object
of the same class. A detailed ar ticle on Copy Constructor.
Whenever we define one or more non-default constructors( with parameters ) for a
class, a default constructor( without parameters ) should also be explicitly defined as
the compiler will not provide a default constructor in this case. However, it is not
necessar y but it ’s considered to be the best practice to always define a default
constructor.
Copy constructor takes a reference to an object of the same class as an argument.
Sample(Sample &t)
id=t.id;
CPP
// use
We Illustration
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#include <iostream> that you have read and understood our
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Got It !
class point {
private:
double x, y;
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public:
// Non-default Constructor &
// default Constructor
point(double px, double py) { x = px, y = py; }
};

int main(void)
{

// Define an array of size
// 10 & of type point
// This line will cause error
point a[10];

// Remove above line and program
// will compile without error
point b = point(5, 6);
}
Output :
Error: point (double px, double py): expects 2 arguments, 0 provided
C++
// Implicit copy constructor

#include<iostream>

class Sample
{ int id;
public:
void init(int x)
{
id=x;
}
void display()
{
cout<<endl<<"ID="<<id;
}
}; use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you
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int main() Got It !
{
Sample obj1;
obj1.init(10);
obj1.display();
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Sample obj2(obj1); //or obj2=obj1;
obj2.display();
return 0;
}
Output
ID=10
ID=10
C++
// Example: Explicit copy constructor

#include <iostream>

class Sample
{
int id;
public:
void init(int x)
{
id=x;
}
Sample(){} //default constructor with empty body

Sample(Sample &t) //copy constructor
{
id=t.id;
}
void display()
{
cout<<endl<<"ID="<<id;
}
};
int main()
{
Sample obj1;
obj1.init(10);
obj1.display();

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Sample obj2(obj1); //or
that you have obj2=obj1;
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&
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obj2.display();
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return 0;
}
Output
ID=10
ID=10
C++
#include<iostream>
#include<string.h>
class student
{
int rno;
char name[50];
double fee;
public:
student(student &t) //copy constructor
{
rno=t.rno;
strcpy(name,t.name);
fee=t.fee;
}
void display();

};

student::student(int no,char n[],double f)
{
rno=no;
strcpy(name,n);
fee=f;
}

{
}

int main()
{ use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you
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student s(1001,"Manjeet",10000);
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s.display();
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student manjeet(s); //copy constructor called

manjeet.display();

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return 0;
}
C++
#include<iostream>
#include<string.h>
class student
{
int rno;
char name[50];
double fee;
public:
student(student &t) //copy constructor (member wise initialization)
{
rno=t.rno;
strcpy(name,t.name);

}
void display();
void disp()
{
cout<<endl<<rno<<"\t"<<name;
}

};
student::student(int no, char n[],double f)
{
rno=no;
strcpy(name,n);
fee=f;
}

{
}

int main()
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student s(1001,"Manjeet",10000);
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s.display();
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student manjeet(s); //copy constructor called

manjeet.disp();

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return 0;
}
Destructor:
A destructor is also a special member function as a constructor. Destructor destroys
the class objects created by the constructor. Destructor has the same name as their
class name preceded by a tilde (~) symbol. It is not possible to define more than one
destructor. The destructor is only one way to destroy the object created by the
constructor. Hence destructor can-not be overloaded. Destructor neither requires
any argument nor returns any value. It is automatically called when the object goes
out of scope. Destructors release memor y space occupied by the objects created by
the constructor. In destructor, objects are destroyed in the reverse of object creation.
The syntax for defining the destructor within the class
~ <class-name>()
The syntax for defining the destructor outside the class
<class-name>: : ~ <class-name>(){}
C++
#include <iostream>

class Test {
public:
Test() { cout << "\n Constructor executed"; }

~Test() { cout << "\n Destructor executed"; }
};
main()
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return 0;
}
Output
Constructor executed
Destructor executed
C++
#include <iostream>
class Test {
public:
Test() { cout << "\n Constructor executed"; }

~Test() { cout << "\n Destructor executed"; }
};

main()
{
Test t, t1, t2, t3;
return 0;
}
Output
Destructor executed
Destructor executed
Destructor executed
Destructor executed
C++
#include <iostream>
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int count = 0;
class Test { Got It !
public:
Test()
{
count++;
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cout << "\n No. of Object created:\t" << count;
}

~Test()
{
cout << "\n No. of Object destroyed:\t" << count;
--count;
}
};

main()
{
Test t, t1, t2, t3;
return 0;
}
Output
No. of Object created: 1
No. of Object destroyed: 4
Characteristic s of a destructor:-
1. Destructor is invoked automatically by the compiler when its corresponding
constructor goes out of scope and releases the memor y space that is no longer
required by the program.
2. Destructor neither requires any argument nor returns any value therefore it cannot
be overloaded.
3. Destructor cannot be declared as static and const;
4. Destructor should be declared in the public section of the program.
5. Destructor is called in the reverse order of its constructor invocation.

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Q: What are the functions that are generated by the compiler by default, if we
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do not provide them explicitly?
Ans: he functions that are generated by the compiler by default if we do not
provide them explicitly are:
I. Default constructor
II. Copy constructor
III. A ssignment operator
IV. Destructor
Related Ar ticles :
Destructors in C++
quiz on constructors in C++
Output of C++ programs | Set 26 (Constructors)
Output of C++ programs | Set 27(Constructors and Destructors)
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11/16/22, 8:34 PM Constructors in C++ - GeeksforGeeks

Constructor in C++ is a special method that is invoked automatically at the time of

the object which is why it is known as constructors.

The prototype of Constructors is as follows:

Constructors can be defined inside or outside the class declaration:-

The syntax for defining the constructor within the class:

<class-name> (list-of-parameters) { // constructor definition }

The syntax for defining the constructor outside the class:

<class-name>: :<class-name> (list-of-parameters){ // constructor definiti

Enter the RollNo:Enter the Name:Enter the Fee:

// defining the constructor outside the class

Enter the RollNo: 30

Enter the Name: ram

Enter the Fee: 20000

How constructors are different from a normal member function?

A constructor is different from normal functions in following ways:

Constructor has same name as the class itself

Constructors have input arguments

Constructors don’t have return type

A constructor is automatically called when an object is created.

It must be placed in public section of class.

that you have read and understood our

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

Let us understand the types of constructors in C++ by taking a real-world example.

Characteristic s of the constructor:

The name of the constructor is the same as its class name.

declared in the private section of the class.

We Constructors can be overloaded.

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

any argument. It has no parameters. It is also called a zero-argument constructor.

// Cpp program to illustrate the

Start Your Coding Journey Now! Login Register

automatically provide a default constructor implicitly.

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

initialize the object.

Note : when the parameterized constructor is defined and no default

constructor and hence creating a simple object as

Will flash an error

// CPP program to illustrate

p1.x = 10, p1.y = 15

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

Example e = Example(0, 50); // Explicit call

Example e(0, 50); // Implicit call

Uses of Parameterized constructor:

1. It is used to initialize the various data elements of different objects with

different values when they are created.

2. It is used to overload constructors.

Can we have more than one constructor in a class?

Yes, It is called Constructor Overloading.

of the same class. A detailed ar ticle on Copy Constructor.

Whenever we define one or more non-default constructors( with parameters ) for a

class, a default constructor( without parameters ) should also be explicitly defined as

necessar y but it ’s considered to be the best practice to always define a default

Copy constructor takes a reference to an object of the same class as an argument.

Error: point (double px, double py): expects 2 arguments, 0 provided

// Implicit copy constructor

// Example: Explicit copy constructor

student manjeet(s); //copy constructor called

student manjeet(s); //copy constructor called

A destructor is also a special member function as a constructor. Destructor destroys