is it possible to use a function of a class, without instantiating that class?

[mickey]

if so how? I saw this in java, i watned to do this too in C++,

ie,

class a
{
afunction
};

a.afunction(...) // when using,

many thanks

[quagsire]

Declare the member function as static and use scope resolution :

class a
{
   public :
   static void test()
   {
      cout << "hallo";
   }
};

int main()
{
   a::test();
   return 0;
}

Just note that no non-static member functions or member variables should be used.

[mickeyREN]

wow, thanks!!

just wondering if this is the 'only' and standard way to do this? because i don't remember encountering this stuff when i was reading my c++ book,

thanks, that'll be my last question i hope,

[Stoned_Coder]

yes its the only way. You can call a static function without an object. You cannot do this with other member functions because they must send a this pointer.

[mickey]

alright thanks!!