What are the benefits of operator overloading in C++?

What are the benefits of operator overloading in C++?

Operator overloading in C++ allows you to define custom behavior for operators, making your code more intuitive and readable.

Can you give me an example of operator overloading?

Sure! For instance, you can overload the '+' operator to add two objects of a custom class, like this:

class Complex {
public:
    float real, imag;
    Complex operator+(const Complex& other) {
        return Complex{real + other.real, imag + other.imag};
    }
};

Are there any downsides to using operator overloading?

Yes, while operator overloading can enhance readability, it can also lead to confusion if not used carefully, especially if the overloaded operators don't behave as expected.

How does operator overloading affect performance?

Operator overloading can have a negligible impact on performance, but it's essential to ensure that overloaded operators are efficient to avoid unnecessary overhead.