More on Classes

Question 1

method chaining

Answer 1

where several member functions can be called on the same object in a single expression

Question 2

this

Answer 2

inside ever (non-static) member function, the keyword this is a const pointer that holds the address of the current implicit object

Question 3

*this

Answer 3

we can have function return this by reference in order to enable method chaining

Question 4

where should class definitions be written?

Answer 4

in a header file with the same name as the class

Question 5

where should trivial member functions (access functions, constructors with empty bodies etc.) be defined?

Answer 5

inside the class definition in the header

Question 6

where should non trivial member functions be defined

Answer 6

in the source (.cpp) file with the same name as the class

Question 7

nested type

Answer 7

a type that is defined inside a class type (also known as a member type)

Question 8

member type

Answer 8

a type that is defined inside a class type (also known as a nested type)

Question 9

Can member functions defined inside a class template definition use the template parameters of the class template?

Answer 9

yes

Question 10

Can member functions defined outside a class template definition use the template parameteres of the class template?

Answer 10

no, they must resupply a template parameter declaration, and shold be defined (in the same file) just below the class template definition

Question 11

static member variables

Answer 11

static duration members that are shared by all objects of the class.

Static members exist even if no objects of the class have been instantiated.

Prefer to access them using the class name, the scope resolution operator and the members name

Question 12

How do you initialise a static member inside the class definition?

Answer 12

Make the static members inline

Question 13

static member functions

Answer 13

member functions that can be called with no object. They do not have a *this pointer, and cannot access non static data members

Question 14

friend declaration

Answer 14

can be used to tell the compiler that some other class or function is a friend

Question 15

friend

Answer 15

a class or function (member or non-member) that has been granted full access to the private and protected members of another class

Question 16

friend function

Answer 16

is a function (member or non-member) that can access the private and protected members of a class as though it were a member of that class

Question 17

friend class

Answer 17

a class that can access the private and protected members of another class