Question

Suppose I have a CPP class like

 class A {
    A() :
     max_(0),
     num_(0),
     sum_(0),
     sum_squares_(0) {}

    void Clear() {
      min_ = bucketMapper.LastValue();
      max_ = 0;
      num_ = 0;
      sum_ = 0;
      sum_squares_ = 0;
    }

    void SomethingElse {}
}

I have the initialization code in the constructor and in Clear, is there a way I can avoid having the same code twice.

Answer 1

If you need multiple constructors which call the same logic, you should write all of it within a Clear or Reset function and call it from each constructor.

Initializer list is REQUIRED in reasonably few cases, and besides those, it is just preferred for efficiency.

It is required for:

• Base classes (unless default no argument constructor is present and you’re OK in calling it)
• Member that are references
• const members