Thread: Zero Initialization of struct, C++

  1. #1
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    Zero Initialization of struct, C++

    Say I have this struct...

    Code:
    struct SomeStruct
    {
     int a;
     int b;
     int c;
     int d;
    };
    My simple tests indicate this...

    Code:
    int main()
    {
     SomeStruct ss{0};
     ...
    
     return 0;
    }
    ...is equivalent to this...

    Code:
    int main()
    {
     SomeStruct ss = {0};
     ...
    
     return 0;
    }
    Is this kosher??? In my research I found reference to the 2nd, but not the first, i.e., ...

    Code:
    ss{0}

  2. #2
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    Although I do not believe either conforms to any particular dietary laws, I do believe that they are essentially equivalent in the given context. However, you should get a warning about missing initializers if you are using a reasonable warning level (i.e., with g++ at least -Wall -Wextra).

    In modern C++, the best way to zero-init your POD struct is with empty braces and no equals sign.
    A little inaccuracy saves tons of explanation. - H.H. Munro

  3. #3
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    In modern C++, the best way to zero-init your POD struct is with empty braces and no equals sign.
    Or better yet initialize the variables in the structure definition.

    Code:
    struct SomeStruct
    {
     int a{};
     int b{};
     int c = 0;
     int d = 0;
    };

  4. #4
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    Thanks John and Jim. Appreciate it. Working on something, and the issue came up. My C++ is old, so I need to update.

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