C ++ operator overload ++

Question

which one of the two codes is right and why ?

C C::operator++() { x++; y++; return *this; } C & C::operator++() { x++; y++; return *this; }

Thanks

They both seem to work fine, but I don't know which one is right — Ziyad Mestour
– Ziyad Mestour, Commented Feb 11, 2014 at 17:30
The reference return is "correct" (its an lvalue thing). See this answer and scroll down to the appropriate subsection. — WhozCraig
– WhozCraig, Commented Feb 11, 2014 at 17:31
As comments and answers mentiom, the second is "more" correct. PS: to whomever downvoted the question, please mention why. It's a well-formed and interesting question and does not deserve a negative score. — David Titarenco
– David Titarenco, Commented Feb 11, 2014 at 17:34
Maybe the question was downvoted because it doesn't show any research effort — anatolyg
– anatolyg, Commented Feb 11, 2014 at 17:35

juanchopanza · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-11 17:31:51Z

7

The second one is the idiomatic one: a parameter-less operator++ is the pre-fix increment operator, which should return a reference to self.

answered Feb 11, 2014 at 17:31

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2 Comments

Which function is prefix: operator(int)++ or operator()++? I know one of them takes a parameter: forums.codeguru.com/…

@ThomasMatthews the one I said in my answer :-)

Sebastian Redl · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-11 17:32:12Z

Both are "correct", but the second is idiomatic, because it's expected that the prefix operator ++ returns an lvalue.