C++ Primer, Fifth Edition

7.1.4. Constructors

Each class defines how objects of its type can be initialized. Classes control object initialization by defining one or more special member functions known as constructors. The job of a constructor is to initialize the data members of a class object. A constructor is run whenever an object of a class type is created.

In this section, we’ll introduce the basics of how to define a constructor. Constructors are a surprisingly complex topic. Indeed, we’ll have more to say about constructors in § 7.5 (p. 288), § 15.7 (p. 622), and § 18.1.3 (p. 777), and in Chapter 13.

Constructors have the same name as the class. Unlike other functions, ...