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Is body of a Default Constructor blank in C++?

Last Updated : 16 Jun, 2022
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The answer to this question depends upon 2 scenarios:

  • Scenario 1: When there is a Virtual function in the program: In this scenario, compiler automatically creates virtual table(known as V-Table) and VVPTR(Virtual Void Pointer). V-Table contains the virtual method calls whereas VVPTR contain the address of virtual methods which are present in V-Table, so VVPTR points to methods of V-Table.

    The compiler takes the following steps to initialize VVPTR:-

    1. When compiler gets an indication that virtual functions are used in the code, it will create V-table and VVPTR.
    2. Now to initialise VVPTR compiler generate 7 lines of code which should run whenever compiler comes to know that virtual function is going to use
    3. So the compiler will copy this 7 lines of code inside the constructor, so that just after the execution of the object VVPTR should get initialised so that it can point to V-Table.
    4. Now if no constructor is defined explicitly, then it will copy this 7 lines of code inside default constructor(which compiler will create of it’s own).
    5. Now, it will call the virtual methods.

    Therefore, this makes it clear that the body of Default Constructor is not blank when the code contains virtual functions.

  • Scenario 2: When there is no Virtual function in the program: In this scenario, compiler doesn’t create any V-table or VVPTR. Hence the default constructor remains empty.
  • Conclusion: If program contain virtual functions, then the body of default constructor is not blank and if not, then the body of default constructor is blank


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