How does c++ initialize an object? Is the following case doing that twice?

Question

Suppose the following constructor:

class Needed
{
public: 
    Needed () {}
    Needed (const char *name) {}
};


class Dummy
{
public:
    Dummy (): needed ( "Jimmy" ) {}

private:
    Needed needed;
};

So, did I initialized needed twice here?

No. Why did you think you did? – James M Jan 31 '12 at 15:41 — James M, Jan 31 '12 at 15:41

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 10:28

6

No you initialized it only once in the Member Initializer List.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:28

Community

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answered Jan 31 '12 at 15:42

Alok Save

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The list itself doesn't "initialize" the member object, though. The object is *always* initialized. The list just says *how* to initialize it. – Kerrek SB Jan 31 '12 at 15:49

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 31 '12 at 15:42

1

No, it only gets initialized once for each Dummy instance. You just supplied the arguments for its initialization (and selected which constructor to use).

answered Jan 31 '12 at 15:42

James M

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How does c++ initialize an object? Is the following case doing that twice?

2 Answers2