C++ Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic: Preface

C++ Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic

by Valluru B. Rao

MTBooks, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.

ISBN: 1558515526   Pub Date: 06/01/95

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Constructors and Destructors as Special Functions of C++

Constructors and destructors are special functions in C++. They define how an object is created and

destroyed. You cannot have a class defined in a C++ program without declaring and defining at least one

constructor for it. You may omit declaring and then defining a destructor only because the compiler you use

will create a default destructor. More than one constructor, but only one destructor, can be declared for a class.

Constructors are for the creation of an object of a class and for initializing it. C++ requires that every function

has a return type. The only exceptions are constructors and destructors. A constructor is given the same name

as the class for which it is a constructor. It may take arguments or it may not need them. Different constructors

for the same class differ in the number and types of arguments they take. It is a good idea to provide for each

class at least a default constructor that does not take any arguments and does not do anything except create an

object of that class type. A constructor is called at the time an object of its class is needed to be created.

A destructor also is given the same name as the class for which it is a destructor, but with the tilde (~)

preceding the name. Typically, what is done in a destructor is to have statements that ask the system to delete

the various data structures created for the class. This helps to free−up allocated memory for those data

structures. A destructor is called when the object created earlier is no longer needed in the program.