The this pointer
Syntax
this
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The expression this is a prvalue expression whose value is the address of the implicit object parameter (object on which the implicit object member function is being called). It can appear in the following contexts:
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3) Within default member initializer.
4) Within capture list of a lambda expression.
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(since C++11) |
Explanation
this can only associate with the innermost enclosing class of its appearance, even if the appearance is invalid in the context:
class Outer { int a[sizeof(*this)]; // Error: not inside a member function unsigned int sz = sizeof(*this); // OK: in default member initializer void f() { int b[sizeof(*this)]; // OK struct Inner { int c[sizeof(*this)]; // Error: not inside a member function of Inner // “this” is not associated with Outer // even if it is inside a member function of Outer }; } };
The type of this in a member function of class X is X* (pointer to X). If the member function is declared with a cv-qualifier sequence cv, the type of this is cv X* (pointer to identically cv-qualified X). Since constructors and destructors cannot be declared with cv-qualifiers, the type of this in them is always X*, even when constructing or destroying a const object.
In class templates, this is a dependent expression, and explicit this-> may be used to force another expression to become dependent.
template<typename T> struct B { int var; }; template<typename T> struct D : B<T> { D() { // var = 1; // Error: “var” was not declared in this scope this->var = 1; // OK } };
During construction of an object, if the value of the object or any of its subobjects is accessed through a glvalue that is not obtained, directly or indirectly, from the constructor's this pointer, the value of the object or subobject thus obtained is unspecified. In other words, the this pointer cannot be aliased in a constructor:
extern struct D d; struct D { D(int a) : a(a), b(d.a) {} // b(a) or b(this->a) would be correct int a, b; }; D d = D(1); // because b(d.a) did not obtain a through this, d.b is now unspecified
It is possible to execute delete this;, if the program can guarantee that the object was allocated by new, however, this renders every pointer to the deallocated object invalid, including the this pointer itself: after delete this; returns, such member function cannot refer to a member of a class (since this involves an implicit dereference of this) and no other member function may be called.
This can be used in the member function of the reference-counting pointer (for example, std::shared_ptr)(since C++11) responsible for decrementing the reference count, when the last reference to the managed object goes out of scope.
class ref { // ... void incRef() { ++mnRef; } void decRef() { if (--mnRef == 0) delete this; } };
Keywords
Example
class T { int x; void foo() { x = 6; // same as this->x = 6; this->x = 5; // explicit use of this-> } void foo() const { // x = 7; // Error: *this is constant } void foo(int x) // parameter x shadows the member with the same name { this->x = x; // unqualified x refers to the parameter // “this->” is required for disambiguation } int y; T(int x) : x(x), // uses parameter x to initialize member x y(this->x) // uses member x to initialize member y {} T& operator=(const T& b) { x = b.x; return *this; // many overloaded operators return *this } };
Defect reports
The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.
| DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWG 760 | C++98 | when this is used in a nested class, it was unspecified whether it is associated with the nested class or the enclosing class |
this always associates with the innermost nested class, regardless of whether it is in a non-static member function |
| CWG 2271 | C++98 | this could be aliased when constructing a non-const object |
alias is also prohibited in this case |
| CWG 2869 | C++98 | it was unclear whether this could be used in a static member function of a non-associated class |
made clear |