You're reviewing a C++ codebase and notice that a function processing large data structures is passed its arguments by value, potentially causing unnecessary copies and overhead. What might be a more efficient way to pass these structures without modifying the original data?
- Passing by pointer
- Passing by reference
- Using lambda functions
- Using std::move
Passing arguments by reference allows functions to access the original memory location without creating a copy, leading to more efficient memory usage. While passing by pointer can achieve a similar outcome, it requires manual dereferencing. Passing by reference is a more idiomatic solution in C++ for this use case.
What is the primary purpose of the break statement in C++ loops?
- To skip the next iteration
- To pause the loop for a moment
- To terminate the loop
- To reduce execution time
The break statement in C++ is used to terminate the loop, irrespective of whether the loop's condition has been met or not. This can be useful when a certain condition, separate from the loop's terminating condition, is met and the loop needs to end prematurely.
A template that takes another template as a parameter is known as a _______.
- template class
- meta-template
- function template
- inheritance template
A meta-template is a template that takes another template as its parameter. This advanced concept allows for more abstraction and flexibility in template programming.
The result of dividing two integers in C++ is always a(n) _______.
- float
- char
- integer
- boolean
In C++, when two integers are divided, the result is always an integer. If there's any fractional part, it gets truncated. For instance, 5 divided by 2 results in 2, not 2.5. To obtain a floating-point result, one or both operands should be a floating-point type.
A function that calls itself directly or indirectly is known as a _______ function.
- recursive
- iterative
- overloaded
- main
A function that calls itself, either directly or by calling another function that eventually results in the original function being called again, is termed recursive.
In C++, which keyword is used to declare an abstract class?
- virtual
- volatile
- pure
- abstract
An abstract class in C++ is a class that cannot be instantiated and is meant to be inherited by other classes. It's declared using the virtual keyword, especially when a virtual function is set to 0, making it a pure virtual function, thus making the class abstract.
How does the short-circuit evaluation work in logical operators?
- Sequentially
- Left-to-right
- Both operands
- None required
Short-circuit evaluation refers to the evaluation of logical expressions in a left-to-right manner, stopping as soon as the outcome is determined. For instance, in the logical AND operation (&&), if the left operand is false, the right operand won't even be evaluated because the entire expression is already false.
What does the term “Diamond Problem” refer to in the context of C++ inheritance?
- Multiple inheritance ambiguity
- Memory leak in inheritance
- Abstract base class issue
- Diamond-shaped class structure
The "Diamond Problem" arises due to multiple inheritance when a particular class is accessible through multiple paths, often causing ambiguity. For instance, if two base classes A and B have the same method and a derived class inherits both A and B, there's ambiguity on which method to call if not overridden in the derived class.
What is the purpose of a pure virtual function in C++?
- To provide default functionality
- To force derived classes to provide an implementation
- To enhance runtime performance
- To prevent method overloading
A pure virtual function in C++ is declared using "= 0" and doesn't have an implementation in the base class. It's a way to ensure that derived classes provide their own implementation of the function, effectively making the base class abstract. This ensures a consistent interface.
What is the maximum number of conditions that can be nested within each other using nested if-else structures?
- 10
- 5
- 3
- There is no fixed limit.
There isn't a fixed limit to how many conditions you can nest using if-else structures in C++. However, it's essential to keep code readability and maintainability in mind. Excessively nested conditions can make the code hard to understand and debug.