Object Oriented Programming Chapter 8

Questions and Answers

What is a destructor in object-oriented programming?

A destructor is a member function that is automatically called when an object is destroyed, has the same name as the class preceded by a tilde character (~), has no return type, and takes no arguments.

A class can have more than one destructor.

False

What should be done when a class object is dynamically allocated?

Its memory should be released using the delete operator when the object is no longer needed.

What are the following examples of overloaded constructors?

Rectangle(double) Signup and view all the answers

You can provide more than one default constructor for a class.

False Signup and view all the answers

How can you access objects in an array?

Objects in an array are accessed with subscripts, similar to accessing any data type in an array. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Destructor = A member function called when an object is destroyed Overloading Constructors = Having multiple constructors with different parameter lists Private Member Function = A function that can only be called within the same class Arrays of Objects = A collection of class objects stored in a contiguous memory location Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

Distinction between procedural and object-oriented programming emphasizes encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Introduction to classes features fundamental concepts in organizing code into reusable structures.

Destructors

Destructors are member functions that execute automatically upon an object's destruction, named with a tilde prefix (~).
Example: The destructor for a class called Rectangle would be ~Rectangle.
Destructors have no return type and take no parameters; only one destructor can be defined per class.
Primary function of destructors includes memory deallocation for dynamically allocated objects.

Constructors and Memory Management

Dynamically allocated objects via the new operator call the constructor upon creation.
Memory must be released for dynamically allocated objects with the delete operator to prevent memory leaks.
Example code snippet illustrates creating and destroying a Rectangle object.

Overloading Constructors

Classes can define multiple constructors with different parameter lists to provide flexibility.
Example constructors for a class called StockItem include:
- Default constructor with no parameters.
- Constructor accepting a string for the item description.
- Constructor accepting a string, double, and integer for description, cost, and unit count.

Default Constructors and Destructors

Only one default constructor is permitted; it cannot have variants with default arguments.
A destructor must also be singular since it takes no arguments, ensuring the compiler can identify the correct destructor.

Member Function Overloading

Member functions, including those apart from constructors, can be overloaded for versatility.
Overloading requires distinct parameter lists to differentiate the functions.

Private Member Functions

Private member functions are exclusive to the class they belong to and facilitate internal processing.
They enhance encapsulation by preventing external access, allowing only class member functions to invoke them.

Arrays of Objects

Class object arrays can be defined; each element is an instance of a class.
Default constructors are used for array elements unless specified otherwise with initializer lists for more complex constructors.
Example demonstrates using an initializer list to create StockItem objects in an array, emphasizing flexibility in constructor usage.
Objects in an array are accessed using subscripts, similar to standard arrays.

Summary of Accessing Array Elements

Instance methods of objects in an array are accessed using dot notation, allowing interaction with the members of the class through standard array indexing.

Description

Dive into Chapter 8 of Object Oriented Programming, where we explore the fundamentals of classes, including defining instances and understanding destructors. This chapter also covers essential concepts like constructors, member functions, and overloading. Enhance your programming knowledge through this comprehensive quiz.