C++ Object Class this Pointer

Syntax

The this pointer is a keyword in C++ which always refers to the current object. The syntax to use the this pointer in a class method is as follows:

type class_name::method_name() {
    // code using `this` pointer
}

Example

Let's take an example of a Person class that has two private member variables name and age. We will define a method printDetails() that will print out the details of the current object using the this pointer.

class Person {
    private:
        string name;
        int age;
    public:
        Person(string n, int a) {
            name = n;
            age = a;
        }
        void printDetails() {
            cout << "Name: " << this->name << endl;
            cout << "Age: " << this->age << endl;
        }
};

int main() {
    Person person1("John Doe", 30);
    person1.printDetails();
    return 0;
}

Output

Name: John Doe
Age: 30

Explanation

In the printDetails() method, we are using the this pointer to access the name and age member variables of the current object. The -> operator is used to access the member variables through the this pointer.

Use

The this pointer is used in class methods to access the member variables and methods of the current object. It is especially useful when there are local variables with the same names as the member variables, as it helps to avoid naming conflicts and ambiguity.

Important Points

• The this pointer is a keyword in C++ which always refers to the current object.
• It is used in class methods to access the member variables and methods of the current object.
• The -> operator is used to access the member variables through the this pointer.

Summary

The this pointer is a powerful feature of C++ that allows class methods to access the member variables and methods of the current object. It is a keyword that always refers to the current object and can be used to avoid naming conflicts and ambiguity.