When Should You Use the \"default\" Keyword for Member Functions in C Classes?

Understanding Default Member Functions in C Classes

In C classes, the "default" keyword can be used after a function declaration to instruct the compiler to automatically generate the implementation of that function. This is particularly useful for functions like constructors, destructors, and assignment operators.

Purpose of "default"

By using "default" after a function declaration, you are essentially telling the compiler that you do not want to manually define the implementation of that function. Instead, you want the compiler to generate its own implementation based on the function's signature and the class it belongs to.

Syntax

The syntax for using "default" after a function declaration is as follows:

<code class="cpp">function-name (parameter-list) = default;</code>

Examples

The following code snippet demonstrates the use of "default" for a constructor and an assignment operator:

<code class="cpp">class C {
  public:
    C(const C&) = default;
    C(C&&) = default;
    C& operator=(const C&) & = default;
};</code>

In this example, the "default" keyword is used to generate default implementations for the copy constructor, move constructor, and copy assignment operator.

Benefits of Using "default"

Using "default" for member functions offers several benefits:

• It simplifies code by avoiding the need to manually define the implementation of common functions.
• It ensures that the generated implementations will be consistent with the class's design and will adhere to the language's standards.
• It reduces the risk of introducing bugs or errors into the code.

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