What are copy semantics in C++?

What are copy semantics in C++?

Copy semantics in C++ refers to how objects are copied when they are assigned or passed to functions. It determines whether a new object is created or if a reference to the existing object is used.

Can you explain the difference between shallow copy and deep copy?

Sure! A shallow copy duplicates the object's immediate values, but not the objects they reference. A deep copy, on the other hand, duplicates everything, including all objects referenced.

When should I use deep copy instead of shallow copy?

You should use deep copy when your object contains pointers to dynamically allocated memory or other objects that need to be independently managed.

How do I implement copy semantics in my C++ class?

To implement copy semantics, you need to define a copy constructor and a copy assignment operator in your class.