Question

Explain the features of copy constructor.

Answer 1

The features of copy constructors are

• copy constructor is a special type of parameterized constructor.
• It is normally used to copy one object into another.
• They are normally used to initialize object with values of already existing object.
• Copy constructors should have at least one argument of the same class and must be passed as a constant reference type.
• The copy constructor cannot be invoked explicitly but can be equated to an already existing object in the declaration itself.

For example:
x a₁; _ _ _ default constructor invoked
X a₂ = a₁; _ _ _ copy constructor invoked.
The C++ compiler creates default copy constructor automatically.