Top 20 C++ Interview Questions

By Techie CodeBuddy
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Ques 1. What is C++?

C++ is a high-level programming language that extends the C language with
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) features. It’s widely used for
system/software development, game development, and competitive
programming.
Real-Life Example: Think of C++ as a powerful toolkit. Imagine you’re building a
house. While C provides the basic tools like hammers and nails (functional
programming), C++ adds advanced tools like power drills and blueprint software
(OOP, better memory management). This makes the house-building process
more efficient and flexible, just like C++ enhances the efficiency of building
complex software.
Advantages of C++ (for Interviews):
1. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Supports concepts like classes
and objects, which make code reusable and modular.
o Real-life analogy: Like organizing files into folders, OOP helps
manage large programs by organizing code into reusable blocks
(classes).
2. High Performance: C++ is faster compared to many other languages
because of its close-to-hardware nature and manual memory
management.
o Real-life analogy: It’s like driving a manual car—you control speed
better compared to an automatic one, but it requires more
attention.
3. Memory Management: C++ provides control over system resources
through pointers and dynamic memory allocation.
 o Real-life analogy: Think of it like managing your budget manually.
You decide exactly where every penny goes, giving you control, but it
requires effort.
4. Rich Library Support: Comes with a Standard Template Library (STL),
which includes useful data structures and algorithms.
o Real-life analogy: It’s like having pre-built IKEA furniture kits—just
assemble it quickly instead of starting from scratch.
Disadvantages of C++:
1. Complex Syntax: The syntax can be tricky for beginners due to features
like pointers, memory management, and templates.
o Real-life analogy: Learning C++ is like learning to drive a stick-shift
car—it’s powerful but has a steep learning curve.
2. Manual Memory Management: While this gives control, it can lead to
errors like memory leaks if not handled correctly.
o Real-life analogy: Managing finances manually can lead to mistakes
if you're not careful, just like handling memory in C++.
3. No Garbage Collection: Unlike languages like Java, C++ doesn’t
automatically free unused memory, which requires careful management.
o Real-life analogy: It’s like cleaning your room manually—if you don’t
do it, the mess piles up!
4. Lack of Built-in Multithreading Support: While possible, multithreading
in C++ is more complex compared to some newer languages.
o Real-life analogy: It’s like cooking with multiple stoves but without a
timer—it requires careful attention to avoid mishaps.

This balance of advantages and disadvantages helps explain why C++ is popular
for specific tasks but may not always be the first choice for certain projects

Ques 2. How can we say C++ is Bottom Up Approach?

C++ is often described as a bottom-up approach in programming because it
emphasizes building complex systems by first creating small, manageable
components (or classes) and then combining them to form larger applications.
Key Points:
1. Building Blocks:
o In C++, you start by defining classes and objects that represent the
core functionalities and data structures.
o Each class acts as a foundational building block.
2. Encapsulation:
o C++ encourages encapsulation, where data and functions that
operate on the data are bundled together.
o This helps in creating self-contained components, which can be
developed and tested individually.
3. Integration:
o Once the individual components are working, you integrate them
into larger systems, gradually building complexity.
o This is akin to constructing a house from the foundation up.
Real-Life Analogy:
Imagine you are assembling a complex LEGO set:
• You start by building small sections (like wheels or walls) using individual
LEGO pieces (classes).
• Once all sections are complete, you connect them to create the final
model (the complete program).
Conclusion:
By focusing on creating and testing smaller units (classes) first, C++ allows
programmers to develop more robust and maintainable software, making it
easier to debug and understand

Ques 3. What is Class?

A class is a blueprint for creating objects in C++. It encapsulates data
(attributes) and functions (methods) that operate on that data, enabling the
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm.
Key Points:
• Attributes: Variables that hold data.
• Methods: Functions defined within a class that can manipulate the data.
Real-Life Example: Think of a class as a blueprint for a car:
• Attributes: Color, model, engine type.
• Methods: Start, stop, accelerate.
When you create a specific car (an object) from this blueprint, it has its own
color, model, and engine type but shares the same behaviors (methods) defined
in the class.
In this example, Car is a class with attributes and a method. myCar is an object
created from the Car class.

.Ques 4. What are the key oops concepts in C++?

1. Encapsulation:
o Definition: Bundling data (attributes) and methods (functions) that
operate on that data within a class.
o Example: A Car class with attributes like color and speed, and
methods like accelerate() and brake().
o Real-Life Analogy: Like a capsule that contains medicine—
everything is packed together to perform a specific function.
2. Abstraction:
o Definition: Hiding complex implementation details and showing
only the essential features of the object.
o Example: Using a Car class, you only interact with methods like
drive() or stop() without needing to know how the engine works.
o Real-Life Analogy: Driving a car without needing to understand the
mechanics; you just use the steering wheel and pedals.
3. Inheritance:
o Definition: A mechanism that allows one class (child) to inherit
properties and behaviors from another class (parent).
o Example: A SportsCar class inheriting from a Car class, gaining its
attributes and methods while adding new features like
turboBoost().
o Real-Life Analogy: Children inherit traits from their parents but also
have their unique characteristics.
4. Polymorphism:
o Definition: The ability for different classes to be treated as
instances of the same class through a common interface, often
using method overriding.
 o Example: A base class Shape with a method draw(), and derived
classes like Circle and Square implementing their own versions of
draw().
o Real-Life Analogy: A person can perform different roles (like being
a teacher, parent, or friend) depending on the situation, yet they
remain the same person.
Summary:
These four core concepts of OOP—Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, and
Polymorphism—help in organizing code, enhancing reusability, and making it
easier to manage complex systems.
Ques 5. What are the types of Polymorphism?
Polymorphism in C++ can be categorized into two main types:
1. Compile-Time Polymorphism (Static Polymorphism):
o Definition: The method to achieve polymorphism where the
decision about which function to call is made at compile time.
Run-Time Polymorphism (Dynamic Polymorphism):
• Definition: The method to achieve polymorphism where the decision
about which function to call is made at runtime.
• How it's Achieved:
o Virtual Functions: Functions declared in a base class that can be
overridden in derived classes. When using a base class pointer or
reference, the appropriate derived class method is called.
Real-Life Analogy: Imagine a TV remote that can control various devices (like a
TV, DVD player, or sound system). Depending on which device is currently
selected, pressing the same button will perform different actions.
Summary:
• Compile-Time Polymorphism: Achieved through function overloading
and operator overloading, resolved during compilation.
• Run-Time Polymorphism: Achieved through virtual functions, resolved
during execution.
These polymorphism types enhance code flexibility and reusability, making C++
a powerful language for object-oriented programming

Ques 6. What is #inlcude<iostream>

• Definition: It is a preprocessor directive that includes the standard input-
output stream library in your program.
• Purpose: It enables the use of input and output functionalities, like reading
from the keyboard and writing to the console.
• Common Objects:
o std::cout: Outputs data to the console.
o std::cin: Takes input from the user.

Ques 7. What is Namespace std?

Definition: namespace std is a standard namespace in C++ that contains
all the functionality of the C++ Standard Library. It includes definitions for
common classes, functions, and objects, such as input/output streams,
strings, and containers.

Key Points:
• Purpose: To avoid naming conflicts. Different libraries can have functions
or classes with the same names, and namespaces help keep them
organized.
 • Usage: When you use std:: before a function or object (e.g., std::cout), it
indicates that you are referring to something defined within the std
namespace.

Ques 8. What is Token in C++

Token in C++ (for Interviews)
 • Definition: A token in C++ is the smallest unit of a program that is
meaningful to the compiler. It can be a keyword, identifier, constant, string
literal, operator, or punctuation.
Types of Tokens:
1. Keywords: Reserved words with special meanings (e.g., int, return, if).
2. Identifiers: Names given to variables, functions, and classes (e.g.,
myVariable, calculateSum).
3. Constants: Fixed values (e.g., 10, 3.14, "Hello").
4. Operators: Symbols that perform operations (e.g., +, -, *, /).
5. Punctuation: Symbols used for structuring the code (e.g., {}, ;, ,).

Ques 9. Difference between reference and pointer

 Real-Life Analogy:
• Pointer: Think of it as a house key. You can have multiple keys (pointers) to
the same house (variable), and you can change which house a key opens.
• Reference: Think of it as a nickname for a person. A nickname (reference)
cannot be changed to refer to someone else once given; it always points to
the same person (variable).

Ques 10. What is STL in C++

Definition: STL stands for Standard Template Library. It is a powerful set
of C++ template classes and functions that provide generic and reusable
algorithms and data structures.
Key Components of STL:
1. Containers: Data structures that hold objects. Common types include:
o Vector: Dynamic array that can grow in size.
o List: Doubly linked list.
o Deque: Double-ended queue.
o Set: Collection of unique elements.
 o Map: Collection of key-value pairs.
2. Algorithms: Functions that perform operations on containers, such as
sorting, searching, and manipulation (e.g., sort(), find(), max_element()).
3. Iterators: Objects that provide a way to access elements in a container
sequentially without exposing the underlying structure. They act like
pointers to the elements in the container

Real-Life Analogy:
Think of STL as a toolbox:
• Containers: Different types of tools (screwdrivers, hammers, etc.) for
various tasks.
• Algorithms: Instructions on how to use those tools effectively.
• Iterators: The hands that help you grab and manipulate the tools.
Benefits:
• Efficiency: Pre-optimized data structures and algorithms.
• Reusability: Generic templates allow for code reuse.
• Flexibility: Can be adapted for different data types.
In summary, STL enhances C++ programming by providing ready-to-use
components that simplify complex tasks.

Ques 11. What are access specifier in C++

Access specifiers in C++ define the visibility or accessibility of class
members (attributes and methods). There are three main access
specifiers:
1. Public:
o Members declared as public are accessible from anywhere in the
program.
o Ideal for functions and variables that need to be accessed by other
classes or functions.
Ques 12. What is the difference in Array and A list
 Real-Life Analogy:
• Array: Like a row of lockers, where each locker has a fixed number and
can only hold one item.
• List: Like a shopping cart, where you can add or remove items as needed
without a fixed limit on the number of items.
In summary, arrays are suitable for situations where the size is known and
fixed, while lists are more flexible for dynamic collections of elements.

Ques 13. What is the difference between new() and malloc()?

Real-Life Analogy:
• new: Like ordering a custom-made piece of furniture that is delivered
ready to use.
• malloc(): Like buying raw materials (wood, nails) without any assembly;
you need to put it together yourself and it may not be usable until you do.
In summary, prefer new for C++ object allocation due to its automatic
memory management features, while malloc() is generally used for raw
memory allocation in C.
 Ques 14. Friend Function in C++
Definition: A friend function is a function that is not a member of a class
but has the ability to access the private and protected members of that
class. It is declared using the friend keyword within the class definition.
Key Points:
• Access: A friend function can access all members (including private and
protected) of the class it is declared as a friend.
• Not a Member: It is not invoked on an object of the class; it can be called
independently like a normal function.
• Use Cases: Useful for operator overloading, where you want to access
private data of two different classes.
Real-Life Analogy:
Think of a friend function as a close friend who knows all your secrets (private
data) but isn’t part of your family (class). While they can access your private
information, they don’t belong to your immediate circle.
In summary, friend functions provide a way to allow non-member functions to
access private and protected members of a class, promoting better
encapsulation and flexibility in certain scenarios.

Ques 15. Destructor in C++

Definition: A destructor is a special member function of a class that is executed
when an object of that class goes out of scope or is explicitly deleted. It is used
to release resources that the object may have acquired during its lifetime, such
as memory, file handles, or network connections.
Key Points:
• Name: The name of the destructor is the same as the class name,
preceded by a tilde (~).
• Automatic Invocation: Automatically called when an object is destroyed.
• No Parameters or Return Type: Destructors do not take parameters and
do not return any value.
• Single Destructor: A class can have only one destructor.
• Memory Management: Helps in preventing memory leaks by ensuring
proper cleanup.

Real-Life Analogy:
Think of a destructor as a cleaning crew that comes in after a party (the object
going out of scope) to clean up and restore the venue (release resources). Just
like the cleaning crew ensures everything is tidy and no items are left behind, a
destructor ensures that resources are properly freed.
In summary, destructors are crucial for resource management in C++, ensuring
that objects clean up after themselves when they are no longer needed.
Ques 16. What is Overflow Error in C++
Definition: An overflow error occurs when a calculation produces a result that
exceeds the maximum limit that can be stored in a variable of a particular data
type. This can lead to unexpected behavior, such as wrapping around to the
minimum value or producing incorrect results.
Types of Overflow:
1. Integer Overflow:
o Happens when performing arithmetic operations on integer types
(e.g., int, short) and the result exceeds the maximum value for that
type.
o Example: In a 32-bit signed integer, the maximum value is
231−12^{31} - 1231−1 (2,147,483,647). Adding 1 to this value
results in overflow.
2. Floating-Point Overflow:
o Occurs with floating-point types (e.g., float, double) when a number
exceeds the maximum representable value.
o Example: Calculating a very large exponent can lead to floating-
point overflow.
Consequences of Overflow:
• Incorrect Results: Operations can yield incorrect or unexpected values.
• Program Crashes: In some cases, overflow can lead to program instability
or crashes.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Overflow errors can be exploited in malicious
ways, leading to security risks.
In summary, overflow errors are critical to understand in C++ programming to
prevent unexpected behaviors and ensure correct calculations when dealing
with numerical data.

Ques 17. Scope Resolution Operator in C++

Definition: The scope resolution operator (::) is used in C++ to define the
context in which a name (such as a variable, function, or class) is defined. It
helps access global variables, class members, and namespace members that
might be overshadowed by local variables or functions.
Key Uses:
1. Accessing Global Variables:
o When a local variable has the same name as a global variable, you
can use the scope resolution operator to access the global variable.
Summary:
The scope resolution operator helps in avoiding ambiguity by clearly defining the
context in which a name is used, making it a crucial tool for managing variable
and function accessibility in C++.
Ques 20. What is the difference in Object Oriented Programming and
Procedural Oriented Programming?