Question

In C++, can I depend upon a new bool being initialized to false in all cases?

bool *myBool = new bool();

assert(false == *myBool);  // Always the case in a proper C++ implementation?

(Updated code to reflect comment.)

Answer 1

In this case, yes; but the reason is quite subtle.

The parentheses in new bool() cause value-initialisation, which initialises it as false. Without them, new bool will instead do default-initialisation, which leaves it with an unspecified value.

Personally, I’d rather see new bool(false) if possible, to make it clear that it should be initialised.

(That’s assuming that there is a good reason for using new at all; and even if there is, it should be managed by a smart pointer – but that’s beyond the scope of this question).

NOTE: this answers the question as it was when I read it; it had been edited to change its meaning after the other answer was written.