MFC Programmer's SourceBook : Thinking in C++
Bruce Eckel's Thinking in C++, 2nd Ed Contents | Prev | Next

Summary

In this chapter, you’ve learned the fundamental “twist” of C++: that you can place functions inside of structures. This new type of structure is called an abstract data type , and variables you create using this structure are called objects, or instances, of that type. Calling a member function for an object is called sending a message to that object. The primary action in object-oriented programming is sending messages to objects.

Although packaging data and functions together is a significant benefit for code organization and makes library use easier because it prevents name clashes by hiding the names, there’s a lot more you can do to make programming safer in C++. In the next chapter, you’ll learn how to protect some members of a struct so that only you can manipulate them. This establishes a clear boundary between what the user of the structure can change and what only the programmer may change.

Contents | Prev | Next


Go to CodeGuru.com
Contact: webmaster@codeguru.com
© Copyright 1997-1999 CodeGuru