struct is a class???

I noticed that the struct acts exactly like a class, so what's the difference, except the fact that unlike the class, the struct is public by default?

Thank you.

Code:

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#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

struct point
{
  private:
      int a, b;
  public:
      point()
      {
        cout<<"buidling...\n";
      }
      ~point()
      {
        cout<<"dead!!!\n";
      }
      void func(void);
};

void point::func(void) {
  cout<<"something here...!!!\n";
}

int main()
{
  struct point p1;

  p1.func();
  return(0);
}

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That is the only difference. I use struct when it doesn't need any other methods other than a constructor and destructor, and I always leave all members public. All other times I use class.

look at my code... you can define public and private and other functions as well... why is that?

also, the compiler allows me to do this:

Code:

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class point p2;

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even if the point is a struct, what the hell is going one here?

It is because they are basically the same. The struct keyword was inherited from C, where they have a slightly more restrictive meaning and use. In C++, structs were given the same powers as classes, so you can basically use them interchangably as long as you set the access specifiers you want.

A common practice is to do what Ancient Dragon does and use structs for holding only public data. This is simply because that is what structs look like in C.

I see... but what about:

Quote:

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also, the compiler allows me to do this:

Code:

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class point p2;

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even if the point is a struct, what the hell is going one here?

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While on the subject I have a question: Is it possible to inherit from structs and do they support polymorphism in the way classes do?

Yes, they are the *SAME* thing except for teh 1 listed different.

SAME THING!

>> also, the compiler allows me to do this

My compiler gives me a warning. It would appear that it doesn't give an error because it doesn't matter - class and struct are the same thing. It basically ignores that part. Besides, it shouldn't matter which you use because putting struct or class there is not necessary. Just use

Code:

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point p2;

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I know I don't need to place class / struct, but I prefer to do that...
the question is, can I define a class and a struct with the same name?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Devil Panther

the question is, can I define a class and a struct with the same name?

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Did you try it? Experimentation teaches you a lot :eek:

Well just think about what happens when you try to instantiate the class or struct...

That's what I did. And then I tried it. Yep, I was right.

Well so did I... The compiler doesn't see the difference between the struct and the class... weird...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Devil Panther

Well so did I... The compiler doesn't see the difference between the struct and the class... weird...

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there's nothing "wierd" about it -- the language was designed that way on purpose.