Learning Outcomes:
i. Understand the syntax and procedures for declaring objects in your programs.
ii. Explain how to access data members and member functions of objects using the dot operator.
iii. Analyze practical examples of object interaction and member manipulation.
iv. Recognize the importance of proper syntax and conventions in working with objects.
Introduction:
Remember the vibrant city of classes and objects we've been building in the previous lessons? Now it's time to breathe life into these blueprints and witness them in action! This lesson will focus on declaring objects and accessing their members, allowing you to interact with your creations and truly harness the power of object-oriented programming.
i. Calling the Constructor Crew:
Declaring an object is like welcoming a new resident to your city. You use the class name, followed by a variable name to hold the new object, and call the constructor if needed:
C++
// Create a new "Student" object named "ali"
Student ali;
// Create a "Product" object named "phone" with initial price 200
Product phone(200);
ii. The Dotted Path to Member Access:
Once an object is declared, you can access its data members and member functions using the dot operator (.). Think of it as a map with the object name and then the member name to lead you to the desired information or action:
C++
// Print the name of "ali"
cout << ali.name << endl;
// Set the price of "phone" to 300 using its function
phone.setPrice(300);
// Call the "calculateGPA" function of "ali"
ali.calculateGPA();
Example Explorations:
Let's see our city residents in action:
Game Character: Use object access to display health, attack an enemy, or equip new weapons.
Library Management: Access book titles, check availability, or add new books to the system.
Declaring and accessing objects are fundamental steps in working with classes. By understanding the syntax and practicing through various examples, you can confidently bring your code to life, interacting with your objects and making them perform actions to achieve your desired outcomes. Remember, consistency and attention to detail are key! Ask your teacher for guidance, keep practicing, and watch your programs evolve into bustling communities of dynamic objects interacting with each other and the world around them!
