What is the primary purpose of a constructor?To define member functionsTo print object detailsTo initialize object data membersTo handle user input

Primary Purpose of a Constructor

The primary purpose of a constructor in object-oriented programming is to initialize object data members.

1. Initialization: Constructors are special member functions that are automatically called when an object of a class is created. They set initial values for the object's data members, ensuring that the object starts its life in a valid state.

2. Overloading: Constructors can be overloaded, allowing different ways to initialize an object depending on the parameters provided. This flexibility facilitates creating objects with varying initial conditions.

3. Resource Management: In some programming languages, constructors can also allocate resources such as memory or open connections, allowing for better resource management.

4. Predefined Actions: Besides initialization, constructors may also perform certain predefined actions whenever an instance of the class is created, providing a convenient way to enforce class invariants.

Overall, the initialization of data members is the central role of a constructor, distinguishing it from member functions that perform actions on the object’s data after it has been initialized.