Detailed explanation of the usage of this pointer in C++

This pointer is a special pointer in C, pointing to the current object instance, used to access member variables, call member functions, pass to other functions, restrict access to members, and distinguish it from other pointers.

Usage of this pointer in C

What is this pointer?

This pointer is a special pointer pointing to the current object instance.

Usage of this pointer

• #Accessing member variables: You can access member variables of a class through this pointer. For example:

<code class="cpp">class Person {
public:
  string name;
  Person(string name) : name(name) {}
  void printName() {
    cout << this->name << endl;
  }
};</code>

• Calling member functions: You can call member functions through this pointer. For example:

<code class="cpp">class Person {
public:
  string name;
  Person(string name) : name(name) {}
  void printName() {
    this->printName();
  }
};</code>

• Passed to other functions: This pointer can be passed as a parameter to other functions. For example:

<code class="cpp">void printPerson(Person* person) {
  cout << person->name << endl;
}</code>

• Restrict access to members: You can use this pointer as a const or reference to restrict access to member variables and member functions. For example:

<code class="cpp">class Person {
public:
  string name;
  Person(string name) : name(name) {}
  void const printName() const {
    cout << this->name << endl;
  }
};</code>

• Distinction from other pointers: This pointer is different from pointers to heap memory and other objects. It always points to the current object instance and can only be used during its lifetime.

When to use this pointer?

You usually need to use this pointer in the following situations:

• When accessing member variables or member functions of a class
• When you need to use an object instance as When parameters are passed to other functions
• When it is necessary to restrict access to member variables and member functions
• When it is necessary to distinguish them from other pointers

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