C++ class constructor using a pointer to same class object

Question

Does it make sense to have class constuctor which takes a pointer to a object of the same class. The idea is to copy all the data for from the old object to a new object.

class Shape {
    ...
    public:
       Shape(string,string,...)
       Shape(Shape*)
}

Shape::Shape(Shape* ref) {
    layer = ref->layer;
    purpose = ref->purpose;
    ...
}

That's just a pointer version of the copy constructor. Normally it's done with a const reference. See this article for more information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copy_constructor — Amardeep AC9MF
– Amardeep AC9MF, Commented Apr 10, 2012 at 2:51

orlp · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-10 02:49:06Z

1

No, this will only lead to confusing ambiguities and hard-to-catch errors (automatic conversion from pointer to object, anyone?). If initializing from a pointer make it explicit:

Shape s2 = *s1;

answered Apr 10, 2012 at 2:49

orlp

119k39 gold badges226 silver badges324 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

balaji kommineni Over a year ago

Thanks nightcraker, this make more sense.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

C++ class constructor using a pointer to same class object

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related