What's the difference between assignment and initializer list in c++?

Question

class a
{
private:
    const int anInt;
public:
    a() : anInt(10) {}
};

vs

class a
{
private:
    const int anInt = 10;
public:
    a() {}
};

What's the difference between these two? When I compile it doesn't seem to have any problem and produce the same results.

In your shown case, *both* variants are actually initialization. Even through you use `=` when done in a variable definition it's initialization and not assignment. — Some programmer dude, Mar 27 '22 at 12:23
There is no *assignment* in the code provided. The code is functionally identical with one another. — Eljay, Mar 27 '22 at 12:23
C++ contains lot of ways to initialize something, you posted just two. Read docs to figure differences. — Öö Tiib, Mar 27 '22 at 12:28

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 27 '22 at 12:24

0

it's quite different. The Initializer List is used to initialize a class's data members. At some time after the variable is created, 'Assignment' gives that variable a value.

answered Mar 27 '22 at 12:24

fygeng go

15
4

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 27 '22 at 12:27

0

There could be other differences, but the first and main difference between the two is that initialization gives a variable an initial value at the time it is created. On the other hand, assignment gives a variable a value at some point after the variable is created.

answered Mar 27 '22 at 12:27

Patrick Cyubahiro

81
5

Except that `const int anInt = 10;` is not an assignment in any context. – Yksisarvinen Mar 27 '22 at 13:00

What's the difference between assignment and initializer list in c++?

2 Answers2