In C++, a member function with the same name as its class is called a:

Concept

In C++, special member functions control important stages in an object’s lifetime.

A constructor has the same name as its class, has no return type, and is invoked when an object is created.

Application

1. Consider the declaration class Box { public: Box(); };.

2. The member name Box is identical to the class name Box.

3. Because the declaration has no return type, Box() is the class constructor.

Cross-check and contrast

• Inline function: inline describes an optimization-related function specifier; it does not require the function name to equal the class name.

• Friend function: friend grants access to non-public members, but the function is not itself a member of the class.

• Static function: static makes a member function class-level, but it still has an ordinary function name and a return type.

Therefore, a member function defined with the class name is called a constructor.