Help with a C++ constructor

Question

Hi all,
Can anyone help me understand how this constructor work?
I didn't see this structures until now.

MyClass::MyClass() : myVar1(MYCONSTANT1), myVar2(MYCONSTANT2){
}

I think it attibutes the constant values to the variables.
Am I correct? So the equivalent would be as below?

MyClass::MyClass(){
myVar1 = MYCONSTANT1;
myVar2 = MYCONSTANT2;
}

Answer 1

yes you are correct. they do not have to be constants though. both methods assign values to member variables.

I usually use the first method you listed when all the values are known at the time of the objects creation.

I use the second method when the values need to be modified in some way or new objects are required for the classes initialisation.