Back to all concepts
Intermediate 12 min

Classes Introduction

Discover the power of classes in C++ to bundle data and behavior together, the cornerstone of object-oriented programming

Learn how to create classes that bundle data and behavior together, the foundation of object-oriented programming in C++.

A Simple Example 

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

class Player {
public:
    std::string name;
    int health;
    int maxHealth;

    void takeDamage(int damage) {
        health -= damage;
        if (health < 0) {
            health = 0;
        }
        std::cout << name << " took " << damage << " damage. Health: " << health << "/" << maxHealth << "\n";
    }

    void heal(int amount) {
        health += amount;
        if (health > maxHealth) {
            health = maxHealth;
        }
        std::cout << name << " healed " << amount << ". Health: " << health << "/" << maxHealth << "\n";
    }

    bool isAlive() {
        return health > 0;
    }
};

int main() {
    Player hero;
    hero.name = "Aria";
    hero.health = 100;
    hero.maxHealth = 100;

    hero.takeDamage(30);
    hero.heal(15);
    hero.takeDamage(80);

    if (hero.isAlive()) {
        std::cout << hero.name << " is still fighting!" << "\n";
    } else {
        std::cout << hero.name << " has been defeated." << "\n";
    }

    return 0;
}

Breaking It Down

Class Definition

  • What it does: Defines a blueprint for objects combining data and functions
  • Syntax: class ClassName { ... }; - note the semicolon at the end
  • Members: Can contain variables (data members) and functions (member functions/methods)
  • Remember: The class is the blueprint, objects are instances of that blueprint

public: Access Specifier

  • What it does: Makes members accessible from outside the class
  • Default: Class members are private by default (unlike structs which default to public)
  • Use for: Data and methods you want users of the class to access directly
  • Remember: Put public: before members you want to expose

Member Functions (Methods)

  • What they do: Functions defined inside a class that operate on class data
  • Access: Can directly access all member variables without passing them as parameters
  • Syntax: Called using dot notation: hero.takeDamage(30);
  • Remember: Methods define what an object can DO

Creating Objects

  • What it does: Creates an instance of the class (an actual object)
  • Syntax: Player hero; creates a Player object named hero
  • Access: Use dot notation to access members: hero.name, hero.heal(10)
  • Remember: Each object has its own copy of the data members

Why This Matters

  • Classes are the foundation of modern C++ and most professional software. They let you create self-contained entities that know how to manage their own data and behavior.
  • Think of a BankAccount class that not only stores a balance but also knows how to deposit, withdraw, and validate transactions. This is how real-world applications are built.

Critical Insight

The magic of classes is encapsulation - bundling data with the code that operates on it. Instead of scattered functions like healPlayer(&player, 20), you have player.heal(20). The object knows how to heal itself!

This makes code more intuitive (objects are nouns, methods are verbs) and prevents mistakes - the heal method ensures health doesn't exceed maxHealth automatically.

Best Practices

Use meaningful class names: Choose names that represent real-world entities (Player, BankAccount, Invoice) in PascalCase.

Keep data members private: Expose them through public methods (getters/setters) for better control and validation. This will be covered in future lessons.

Group related functionality: A class should represent one cohesive concept. Don't mix unrelated data and behaviors.

Remember the semicolon: Class definitions must end with a semicolon after the closing brace.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the semicolon: Class definitions end with }; not just }. This causes confusing compiler errors.

Default private access: Unlike structs, class members are private by default. You must explicitly use public: to expose them.

Not defining methods: Declaring a method in the class but never defining it causes linker errors at build time.

Accessing uninitialized members: Object members contain garbage values until initialized. Always set initial values.

Debug Challenge

This class definition is missing something important. Click the highlighted line to fix it:

1 #include <iostream>
2
3 class Car {
4 public:
5 int speed;
6 void accelerate() { speed += 10; }
7 }
8
9 int main() {
10 Car myCar;
11 return 0;
12 }

Quick Quiz

  1. What is the main difference between a struct and a class in C++?
Default access level (public vs private)
Structs cannot have methods
Classes are faster
  1. How do methods access member variables?
Directly by name (they are in the same scope)
They cannot access member variables
By passing them as parameters
  1. What does encapsulation mean?
Bundling data and methods together
Encrypting data
Making everything private

Practice Playground

Time to try out what you just learned! Play with the example code below, experiment by making changes and running the code to deepen your understanding.

Lesson Progress

  • Fix This Code
  • Quick Quiz
  • Practice Playground - run once