How can a class have multiple constructors with the same name?

Question

Ryan McCombe · Accepted Answer

In C++, a class can have multiple constructors as long as they have different parameter lists. This is known as constructor overloading.

When you create an object, the compiler will choose the constructor that best matches the arguments you provide. For example:

1#include <iostream>
2
3class Player {
4public:
5  Player() {
6    std::cout << "Default constructor\n";
7  }
8
9  Player(int health) {
10    std::cout << "Int constructor\n";
11  }
12
13  Player(const std::string& name) {
14    std::cout << "String constructor\n";
15  }
16};
17
18int main() {
19  Player p1;            // Default constructor
20  Player p2{100};       // Int constructor
21  Player p3{"Gandalf"}; // String constructor
22}

1Default constructor
2Int constructor
3String constructor

This allows for flexibility in how objects can be initialized. Just make sure each constructor has a unique signature (name + parameter list).

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