The Copy Constructor and const Objects: A Deeper Explanation

In C , when defining a class, it is generally recommended to follow the Rule of Three, which suggests implementing a copy constructor, an assignment operator, and a destructor. The copy constructor is responsible for creating a new object by copying data from an existing object.

Using const in Copy Constructors

Traditionally, it is considered good practice to use const as the argument type of a copy constructor, as in the following example:

class ABC {
public:
    int a;
    int b;
    ABC(const ABC &other)
    { 
        a = other.a;
        b = other.b;
    }
};

What Happens Without const?

If we omit the const qualifier, as shown below, several issues arise:

class ABC
{
    public:
    int a;
    int b;
    ABC(ABC &other)
    { 
        a = other.a;
        b = other.b;
    }
};

Firstly, it becomes impossible to create copies of const objects. Since the argument is not marked as const, it can only accept non-const objects. Thus, we cannot initialize a new object from a const reference.

Secondly, the absence of const implies that the argument object can be modified within the copy constructor. This is generally not desirable, as the purpose of a copy constructor is to create an identical copy of an existing object. Modifying the original object during copying can lead to unexpected and potentially incorrect behavior.

Reasons for Using const Arguments

There are several compelling reasons to use const arguments in copy constructors:

• Logical Consistency: It makes logical sense not to modify an object while copying its data.
• Creation of Const Copies: Const arguments allow us to create copies of both non-const and const objects, ensuring greater flexibility.
• Compatibility with Temporary Objects: Const references can bind to non-modifiable (rvalue) references, allowing us to create copies from temporary objects.

In conclusion, using const arguments in copy constructors offers significant advantages, including logical correctness, object immutability, and compatibility with temporary objects. While there might be exceptional cases where non-const arguments are appropriate, the general recommendation remains to use const.