Object Reference

[jakelawson44]

So I'm doing an exercise for passing pointers. There is a bit of the example code that doesn't make sense to me.

On line 27 SimpleCat* FunctionTwo(SimpleCat*TheCat) is giving me a bit of confusion. What is this? The syntax tells me its a function, but it is notated like a pointer to an object within the SimpleCat class.

Also, the piece of code that's trying to show that when a function is called by value, it creates a copy.. is notated on line 16: SimpleCat::SimpleCat(SimpleCat&), is this not using a reference? Why is that associated with the copy?


I know this is a bit all over the place, but its causing quite a bit of confusion. Thanks so much for your help!

#include <iostream>

class SimpleCat
{
public:
	SimpleCat();
	SimpleCat(SimpleCat&);
	~SimpleCat();
};

SimpleCat::SimpleCat()
{
	std::cout << "Simple Cat Constructor ... \n";
}

SimpleCat::SimpleCat(SimpleCat&)
{
	std::cout << "Simple Cat Copy Constructor......\n";
}

SimpleCat::~SimpleCat()
{
	std::cout << "Simple Cat Destructor.... \n";
}

SimpleCat FunctionOne(SimpleCat theCat);
SimpleCat* FunctionTwo(SimpleCat *theCat);

int main()
{
	std::cout << "Making a cat....\n";
	SimpleCat Frisky;
	std::cout << "Calling FunctionOne .... \n";
	FunctionOne(Frisky);
	std::cout << "Calling FunctionTwo ... \n";
	FunctionTwo(&Frisky);
	return 0;
}

SimpleCat FunctionOne(SimpleCat theCat)
{
	std::cout << "Function One.  Returning ... \n";
	return theCat;
}

SimpleCat* FunctionTwo(SimpleCat *theCat)
{
	std::cout << "Function Two.  Returning .... \n";
	return theCat;
}

[ak16]

1. line:27

SimpleCat* FunctionTwo(SimpleCat *theCat);
}

I dont understand whts problem in this.
This is prototype of simple function having one parameter and return value.
one parameter: SimpleCat *theCat - this the ponter of class SimpleCat.
return value: And it return pointer of same class type, i.e. "SimpleCat".

2.line:16

SimpleCat::SimpleCat(SimpleCat&)
{
	std::cout << "Simple Cat Copy Constructor......\n";
}

This simple Copy Constructor,
Which have one parameter of same class type and it is reference type.

Please tell us what exactly you dont understand?