Question

class MyClassPrivate
{
//My members.
};    

//and then
class MyClass {
private:
 MyClassPrivate* const d;
};

What is the reason of using this ‘pattern’? How it’s correctly called?

Answer 1

The most usage is Pimlp idiom.

• Why should the “PIMPL” idiom be used?
• Pimpl idiom
• The Pimpl

The Pimpl idiom describes a way for making your header files
impervious to change. You often hear advices like “Avoid change your
public interface!” So you can modify your private interface, but how
can you avoid recompilation when your header file defines the private
methods. This is what the Pimpl does – Reduce compilation damages when
your private interface changes[3].

From Here:

Benefits:

1. Changing private member variables of a class does not require recompiling classes that depend on it, thus make times are faster, and the FragileBinaryInterfaceProblem is reduced.
2. The header file does not need to #include classes that are used ‘by value’ in private member variables, thus compile times are faster.
3. This is sorta like the way SmallTalk automatically handles classes… more pure encapsulation.

Drawbacks:

1. More work for the implementer.
2. Doesn’t work for ‘protected’ members where access by subclasses is required.
3. Somewhat harder to read code, since some information is no longer in the header file.
4. Run-time performance is slightly compromised due to the pointer indirection, especially if function calls are virtual (branch prediction for indirect branches is generally poor).

How to do it:

1. Put all the private member variables into a struct.
2. Put the struct definition in the .cpp file.
3. In the header file, put only the ForwardDeclaration of the struct.
4. In the class definition, declare a (smart) pointer to the struct as the only private member variable.
5. The constructors for the class need to create the struct.
6. The destructor of the class needs to destroy the struct (possibly implicitly due to use of a smart pointer).
7. The assignment operator and CopyConstructor need to copy the struct appropriately or else be disabled.