C++ Destructors

C++ Destructors

A destructor in C++ is a special member function of a class that is automatically called when an object goes out of scope or is explicitly deleted. Destructors are used to release resources, such as memory or file handles, that were acquired by the object. They have the same name as the class, preceded by a tilde (~), and do not have a return type or parameters.

Syntax

class ClassName {
public:
    ~ClassName() {
        // Code to release resources
    }
};

Example: Destructor

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class Student {
public:
    string name;

    Student(string n) { // Constructor
        name = n;
        cout << "Constructor called for " << name << endl;
    }

    ~Student() { // Destructor
        cout << "Destructor called for " << name << endl;
    }
};

int main() {

    Student s1("Alice"); // Constructor called
    Student s2("Bob");   // Constructor called

    cout << "Inside main function" << endl;

    return 0; // Destructors called automatically for s1 and s2
}

Output

Constructor called for Alice
Constructor called for Bob
Inside main function
Destructor called for Bob
Destructor called for Alice

Important Notes

• Destructors have the same name as the class, preceded by a tilde (~), and do not take parameters.
• Destructors are called automatically when an object goes out of scope or is deleted.
• They are commonly used to release dynamically allocated memory or other resources.

Next Topic

Next, learn about Access Specifiers in C++.