Function of the same name as the class

[atee]

I was reading the following in order to understand polymorphism. You can see that the function "Shape" is of the same name as that of the class.

What is the significance here?

#include <iostream> 
using namespace std;
 
class Shape {
   protected:
      int width, height;
   public:
      Shape( int a=0, int b=0)
      {
         width = a;
         height = b;
      }
      int area()
      {
         cout << "Parent class area :" <<endl;
         return 0;
      }
};
class Rectangle: public Shape{
   public:
      Rectangle( int a=0, int b=0):Shape(a, b) { }
      int area ()
      { 
         cout << "Rectangle class area :" <<endl;
         return (width * height); 
      }
};
class Triangle: public Shape{
   public:
      Triangle( int a=0, int b=0):Shape(a, b) { }
      int area ()
      { 
         cout << "Triangle class area :" <<endl;
         return (width * height / 2); 
      }
};
// Main function for the program
int main( )
{
   Shape *shape;
   Rectangle rec(10,7);
   Triangle  tri(10,5);

   // store the address of Rectangle
   shape = &rec;
   // call rectangle area.
   shape->area();

   // store the address of Triangle
   shape = &tri;
   // call triangle area.
   shape->area();
   
   return 0;
}

[GCDEF]

That's a contstuctor, a function that's automatically called when an object is created.

[2kaud]

A class function with the same name as the class is a constructor for the class and is called when the class is instantiated.
In your example above,

Rectangle rec(10,7);

calls

Rectangle( int a=0, int b=0):Shape(a, b) { }

in the class Rectangle
with a = 10 and b = 7 which then calls

Shape( int a=0, int b=0)
      {
         width = a;
         height = b;
      }

in the class Shape with a = 10 and b = 7.

See http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/polymorphism/

[Arjay]

A constructor isn't really a function or class method, but if you want to call it one, it would be a method without a return type. Same for destructors too.

[atee]

Thanks a lot.

That means when I craete object of a derived class (in my code that derived class being Rectangle), the constructor of the derived class is called followed by the constructor of the base class.

Right?

[2kaud]

the constructor of the derived class is called followed by the constructor of the base class.

Use the debugger to trace through the program to see the order of execution then you'll see which comes first. The ability to use the debugger is an essential skill that a programmer needs to master so now seems like a good time for you to get to grips with it. What os/compiler are you using?

[atee]

Yes, I confirmed that I was right using the debugger

I use Visual Studio 2008.How can I check the compiler version?Sorry for asking this question..

[2kaud]

I use Visual Studio 2008.How can I check the compiler version?Sorry for asking this question..

That's fine (use Help/About for more specific info). The debugger is specific to the compiler. There's Visual Studio xxx, gcc etc for different compilers.

[OReubens]

Yes, I confirmed that I was right using the debugger

I use Visual Studio 2008.How can I check the compiler version?Sorry for asking this question..

then you aren't using the debugger correctly, or drawing incorrect conclusions.
base class is constructed first then derived constructor code is called.