C++ Initialize Pointer in Member Initialization List

Question

I am wondering if there is a way I can, in my class' constructors, initialize an array in the base initialization list.

Right now, I am initializing myChars (a char*) to an empty character array of size DEFAULT_SIZE:

    A::A() :
      mySize(0), maxSize(DEFAULT_SIZE)
    {
         myChars = new char[DEFAULT_SIZE];
    }

Is there any way to do this in the base initialization list? So that it would be simply:

     A::A() :
      mySize(0), maxSize(DEFAULT_SIZE), **myChars initialized here**
    {
    }

Thanks!

Please show the complete class declaration.

πάντα ῥεῖ
– πάντα ῥεῖ

2016-02-17 02:14:55 +00:00
Commented Feb 17, 2016 at 2:14 — πάντα ῥεῖ
– πάντα ῥεῖ, Commented Feb 17, 2016 at 2:14

Mooing Duck · Accepted Answer · 2016-02-17 02:14:41Z

3

Did you try?

 A::A() :
  mySize(0), maxSize(DEFAULT_SIZE), myChars(new char[DEFAULT_SIZE])
{}

However, it's extremely recommended to use std::string, std::vector<char>, or std::unique_ptr<char[]> instead, all of which manage memory without error.

answered Feb 17, 2016 at 2:14

Mooing Duck

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1 Comment

Colin Over a year ago

Ok, I don't know why I thought it would be any different. Thank you.

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