C++ Chapter 3 Flashcards

Concepts of Classes and Objects in C++

• Extensible Programming Language: Allows creating new types (classes) for object instantiation, e.g., C++.

• Driver Program: A main function that interacts with an object without knowing its class implementation details, essentially driving its functionality.

• Instantiating an Object: Requires the declaration of a class object, e.g., Account myAccount;, enabling the usage of member functions.

• User-defined Type: Custom types created by users that extend beyond the fundamental types provided by the language.

• Reusable Code: Properly packaged classes can be reused across different programs, promoting efficiency.

• Headers: Essential files ending in .h that contain class definitions. Must be included in source code files with #include and can be specified with double quotes if located within the project.

• Source Code Files: Files ending in .cpp that define the main function and are where headers are included.

• Dot Operator: Used to call member functions on an object, structured as objectName.memberFunction(), illustrating access to object methods.

• Global Functions: Functions that exist outside any class structure, accessible throughout the program.

• Strings: Objects from the C++ standard library that store character strings, defined within the standard namespace (std).

• getline Function: Reads a line of text from input until a newline is encountered, placing the result into a string variable.

• Member Function: Functions defined within a class that can accept arguments to enhance functionality.

• Receiving User Input: Achieved using getline(cin, variableName); to gather input into a string variable.

• setName Function: A member function that assigns a value to a member variable, facilitating encapsulated data manipulation.

• Arguments: Values passed within a function call's parentheses that provide necessary data for function execution.

• Data Members: Variables defined within a class, outside member function bodies, crucial for the state of class objects.

• Empty String: The default initialization value for a string variable in C++ is an empty string "".

• Return Type "Void": Indicates that a function will not return a value after execution.

• Parameters: Variables specified in function definitions that represent the input data required for operation.

• Local Variables: Variables declared within a function that are destroyed once the function completes its execution.

• const Member Functions: Functions that guarantee not to modify the class object from which they are called.

• Private Keyword: Access specifier indicating that members are restricted to access by the class's member functions only.

• Data Hiding: A principle where data within a class is encapsulated to prevent direct access from outside the class.

• Default Access for Class Members: Members are private by default unless explicitly stated otherwise.

• UML Class Diagram: Visual representation of a class composed of three sections: class name, attributes, and operations.

• Constructor: Special member function responsible for initializing new objects, potentially including parameters for custom setup.

• Keyword "Explicit": Used for single-parameter constructors to prevent implicit conversions.

• Client: Any code that utilizes a class's member functions, establishing a relationship between the class and the calling code.

• In-class Initializer: Method to assign values to primitive-type data members directly in their class declarations.

• Validation or Validity Checking: Procedure performed by constructors to ensure data integrity before modifying data members.

Test your knowledge of Chapter 3 from the C++ programming series with these flashcards. This chapter covers crucial concepts such as classes, objects, member functions, and strings. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding and memorizing key terms!