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C++ classes and objects basics

Classes

Use the class keyword to create one, end its definition with a semicolon ;

class Dog {
    // class elements
};

 Don’t forget the semicolon at the end

The element of a class are called class members, there are two types:

• Attributes: contain information about an object of the class.
• Methods: function that belong to the class.

class Dog {
public:
    std::string name;
    int age;
    
    void bark() {
        std::cout << name << "is barking\n";
    }
};

Methods can be defined outside of the class (for example in their own separate file). In that case, it need to be specified with its namespace ClassName::

// outside of the Dog class definition
void Dog::bark() {
    std::cout << name << "is barking\n";
}

Objects

Create an instance of a class or an object

Dog mydog;

Use the . to access and modify its attributes or call its methods

mydog.name = "Snoopy"

mydog.bark();