return object of operator= overloading in c++

Question

What is the difference between returning *this or the given argument in implementation of operator= in C++? Is using one of them better or more useful? if yes, why?

   class Object {
   public:
      Object operator=(Object Obj) {
         return *this;
      }
   }

vs.

   class Object {
   public:
      Object operator=(Object Obj) {
         return Obj;
      }
   }

You should be returning a reference to the current object, not a brand new object. — PaulMcKenzie
– PaulMcKenzie, Commented May 10, 2020 at 15:52

Yakk - Adam Nevraumont · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-10 15:53:05Z

1

X& operator=( X const& ) { return *this; } matches the semantics of = on an int. The other suggestions you gave do not. When in doubt match the semantics of int.

answered May 10, 2020 at 15:53

Yakk - Adam Nevraumont

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