What's the difference between using a.var and a.var()

Question

Just for example

Class A{
    public: 
    int a;    
};

int main(){
    A test;
    int b = test.a;
    int c = test.a();  
}

My question is that when accessing the member variable of a class, is there any difference between using test.a and test.a()?

`.a()` would be a function call...calling an int doesn't make much sense. — Marc B, Jul 15 '16 at 18:06
compiling it would have told you: http://coliru.stacked-crooked.com/a/568cdb5bd37ec26f — NathanOliver, Jul 15 '16 at 18:08
Maybe you should get [a good C++ book](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list?lq=1) and learn the language. — Rob K, Jul 15 '16 at 18:32

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 15 '16 at 18:10

2

Here test.a() is a call to a function whereas test.a is access to your object's public variable, both are different things.

Also, your syntax is incorrect it should be class instead of Class.

answered Jul 15 '16 at 18:10

ani627

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 15 '16 at 18:10

0

There is a big difference. test.a works, test.a() doesn't.

test.a() is a function call, a in class A is not a function.

answered Jul 15 '16 at 18:10

Fantastic Mr Fox

2 Answers2