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Differences Between Struct and Class in C++

In C++, both struct and class are used to define user-defined data types. They are quite similar but have some key differences, especially when it comes to access specifiers and usage conventions. Let’s dive into the differences between them:

Key Differences

Examples

Example of Struct

struct Person {
    std::string name;
    int age;

    void printDetails() {
        std::cout << "Name: " << name << ", Age: " << age << std::endl;
    }
};

int main() {
    Person p;
    p.name = "Alice";
    p.age = 25;
    p.printDetails(); // Output: Name: Alice, Age: 25
    return 0;
}

In this struct example, both name and age are public by default.

Example of Class

class Person {
    std::string name;
    int age;

public:
    Person(std::string n, int a) : name(n), age(a) {}

    void printDetails() {
        std::cout << "Name: " << name << ", Age: " << age << std::endl;
    }
};

int main() {
    Person p("Bob", 30);
    p.printDetails(); // Output: Name: Bob, Age: 30
    return 0;
}

In this class example, name and age are private by default and can only be accessed or modified through member functions.

Conclusion

Both struct and class in C++ allow you to create custom data types with similar functionality. The key difference lies in the default access specifier:

• Struct members are public by default, and it is generally used for simpler data structures.
• Class members are private by default, making it suitable for complex object-oriented designs where encapsulation is important.

Although they are functionally similar, choosing between a struct and a class often comes down to style and the intended use of your code.