Topic: Virtual constructors make no sens


Author: Valentin Bonnard <Bonnard.V@wanadoo.fr>
Date: 1999/09/17
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John Smith wrote:

> Does anybody know why these weren't introduced into the language.

A virtual function is a member function which acts
on an object, and whose behaviour depends on the
dynamic type of this object.

A constructor makes an object from nothing. It doesn't
act on an object.

Strictly speaking, ``virtual constructor'' makes
absolutely no sens. (I think Stroustrup explains that.)
End of the story.

Since a ``virtual constructor'' cannot exist,
people can use this term to mean other things.

--

Valentin Bonnard
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