Search code examples
c++visual-c++c++11standards

What is an Anonymous Object?

What is an Anonymous Object exactly?

Does C++ support/have Anonymous Objects?

Solution

  • The C++ standard does not define the term "anonymous object", but it stands to reason that one might sanely use the term to describe any object that has no name:

    • Temporaries: f(T());
    • Unnamed function parameters: void func(int, int, int);

    What I wouldn't count is dynamically-allocated objects:

    Technically speaking, an "object" is any region of storage [1.8/1 in 2003], which would include the X bytes making up the integer dynamically-allocated by new int;.

    In int* ptr = new int; the pointer (itself an object too, don't forget!) has the name ptr and the integer itself has no name other than *ptr. Still, I'd hesitate to call this an anonymous object.

    Again, though, there's no standard terminology.