destructors

[saisr8]

please explain the concept of destructors in c++
i particularly don't understand the
word that it de-initializes memory

[TarikNeaj]

It doesnt de-initializes memory, but it is used to do that, for example.

Foo::Foo()
{
      int* x = new int; // allocating memory in the constructor
}

The constructor is called whenever you create an object/instance. Destructors are called when you call delete, or when it goes out of scope. So once the object I created stops existing, it calls the destructor which in this case, can de-initialize memory

Foo::~Foo()
{
   delete x;
}

This is obviously just a super basic concept. If you youtube Destructors c++ you get a ton of videos explaining a bit more.

[Computergeek01]

A destructor only ever does exactly what you tell it to at the end of an objects life. This could be used to de-allocate memory, or it could be used to zero out memory (so as to avoid read after deletion); it could also be used to write to a log file, flush a stream, decrement a global counter, inform a socket that you intend to disconnect or any other thing that your black little heart might desire. I guess the point that I want to get across here is that saying that a destructor de-initializes\de-allocates memory is a grossly myopic view of it's potential. Anytime you want some set of code to run when an object is no longer needed, that code should go into the objects destructor.