C++ Class Member Function Types

• Initialization Functions set the initial values of some or all data members of the class. These member functions set the stage for a class instance to start out in the proper state. One special case of this type of member function is the class constructor.
  
  
• Data Broker Functions convert data and perform other data management operations. A data broker function may allocate dynamic memory needed by a class instance and/or convert data from one type to another. Data broker functions support other member functions in the same class.
  
  
• Implementation Functions perform the main operations of the class. These functions can modify the values of the data members and thereby alter the state of an instance of the class. Implementation functions change values of data members, sometimes performing calculations in the process.
  
  
• Access Functions allow a class instance to access some or all of the data members in the class. These member functions ensure that the class instances do not have direct access to critical data members, thereby avoiding possibley corrupting their data. These functions fall into three subcategories:
  
  
  • Get Functions return the values of data members.
    
    
  • Set Functions write new values to data members. Set functions must check input data to ensure that the data members are set to legal values.
    
    
  • Modified Set Functions write new values to data members and also return the old values of these data members.
    
    
• Auxilary Functions are helper functions that assist the other kinds of member functions in performing their tasks. The auxiliary member functions usually work behind the scenes, so to speak. Sometimes they are called Utility Functions.
  
  
• const Functions ensure that the code defining them does not alter the value of any data member. The most common example of a const function is the Get Function.