What are copy constructors in C++?

What are copy constructors in C++?

Copy constructors are special constructors in C++ used to create a new object as a copy of an existing object.

Can you give me an example of a copy constructor?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class MyClass {
public:
    int value;
    MyClass(int v) : value(v) {}
    MyClass(const MyClass &obj) : value(obj.value) {} // Copy constructor
};

This creates a copy of MyClass when a new object is initialized with an existing one.

When should I use a copy constructor?

You should use a copy constructor when you need to create a new object that is a copy of an existing object, especially when your class manages resources like dynamic memory.

What happens if I don't define a copy constructor?

If you don't define a copy constructor, the compiler provides a default one that performs a shallow copy, which may lead to issues if your class manages resources.