C++ frequently questioned answers

[Bruce Adams]

Bruno Medeiros Wrote:

> Bruce Adams wrote:
> > 
> > [OT]
> > Someone at work pointed out this java chestnut recently. If you've used java much you will know it but it may come as a shock to a mainly C++ coder.
> > 
> > class foo {
> >     bar x;
> >     void foo () {
> >         x = new bar();
> >     }
> > }
> > 
> > foo is NOT a constructor its actually a method named foo. The java compiler or interpreter generates a default constructor that sets all members to null so any use of x in any method of foo will result in a null pointer exception. This apparently compiles with no warnings.
> > [/OT]
> 
> What's so surprising about that, even for a Java newcomer?
> 
> -- 
> Bruno Medeiros - MSc in CS/E student
> http://www.prowiki.org/wiki4d/wiki.cgi?BrunoMedeiros#D

Its the fact that a simple typo can cause such mayhem. Remove the void from foo() and it becomes a constructor and everthing works just fine.