copy constructors and pointers

[Ravi Rupela]

Why cant we use pointers instead of reference in copy constructor argument?

[Banfa]

because the C++ framework calls the copy constructor implicitly and it uses a reference to pass the value. references have the advantage of being harder to trick into passing an invalid object than pointers.

[Ravi Rupela]

because the C++ framework calls the copy constructor implicitly and it uses a reference to pass the value. references have the advantage of being harder to trick into passing an invalid object than pointers.

Hi Banfa,
But C++ framework can check the validity of pointer by Pointer != NULL.
What I think C++ concept is they want to make user defined data types more similar to built in data types(int,long).. so

e.g. Class A;
{


};


Class A a1;
Class A a2(a1) is more readable and gives feeling of using built in types
rather Class A a2(&a1);

This is what i think i need ur openion.


Ravi Rupela

[Banfa]

No Pointer != NULL is not a check by the frame work, that is an explicitly coded check by the user. There is normally much less need to do this (in fact it is not possible to do it) with references making them more efficient.

What you say is sort of true but not quite stated correctly, they want all data types to act in the same manor.