Operator Function
Session No.: 36
Course Name: OOPS with C++
Course Code: E1UA203C
Instructor Name: Dr. Krishan Veer Singh
Galgotias University 1
At the end of the session
Students will be able to
Learning Outcome 1:
Outcome
Explain the1:concept of operator functions in C++ and differentiate
Explain
betweenthe needand
member of OOP.
friend functions used for operator
overloading.
Outcome 2:
Learning
Apply the Outcome
core OOP2: concepts such as Classes and
Implement operator functions to overload arithmetic, relational,
Objects, Encapsulation, Data Hiding in
and assignment operators in C++ programs.
C++
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2
Ecosystem
Revision
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1 Operator Function in C++
2 Member Function for Operator
Overloading
Session 3 Friend Function for Operator
Overloading
Outline 4 Member Function VS Friend
Function
5 Operator Overloading: Arithmetic,
Relational and Assignment
Operators
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Operator Function in C++
Operator Function:
• In C++, an operator function is a special function that allows you to overload a built-in operator
(like +, -, ==, etc.) so that it works with user-defined types (like classes and objects).
• An operator function lets you redefine how operators behave when applied to objects.
Syntax:
ReturnType operator<symbol>(parameters) { ... }
An operator function defines how an operator behaves for a class. It can be implemented
as:
• A member function (defined inside the class)
• A friend function (defined outside the class but has access to private members)
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Operator Function in C++
Example:
Let's say you have a class Complex to represent complex numbers: An operator function lets
you redefine how operators behave when applied to objects.
Here:
operator+ is the operator
function
It defines how + works for
Complex objects
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Operator Function in C++
Why Use Operator Functions?
An operator function is a user-defined function that overloads a built-in
operator so it can be used with class objects just like primitive types.
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Member Functions for Operator
Overloading
Key Properties
Overloading + for a
• Defined inside the class Vector Class
• The left operand must be an object of the
class
• Implicitly accesses the object via this
How does it work?
• v1 + v2 calls v1.operator+(v2)
Limitation
• Cannot handle cases where the left operand is
not a class object (e.g., 5 + obj)
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Friend Functions for Operator Overloading
Key Properties
•Defined outside the class but declared as friend inside
•No implicit this (all operands are passed explicitly)
Needed when:
• The left operand is not a class object (e.g., cout << obj)
• You want symmetric behavior (e.g., 5 + obj and obj + 5)
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Friend Functions for
Operator Overloading
Overloading << for Output
Why friend?
• operator<< needs access to private
members (x, y)
• The left operand is cout (not Vector), so it
can't be a member function
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Member vs Friend
Functions: Key Differences
Feature Member Function Friend Function
Outside the class (declared as
Definition Inside the class
friend)
Can be non-class (e.g., cout <<
Left Operand Must be a class object
obj)
Access to Private Direct (via this) Requires friend declaration
Asymmetric operators (e.g., obj
Use Case Symmetric operators (e.g.,5 + obj)
+ 5)
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Learning Activity 1
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Concept and
Definition
Member Function
and
Friend Function
GSCALE full form and date 13
Arithmetic Operator Overloading
Example: Overloading + and - for a Vector Class
Key Points
Return Type: Usually returns a new object (e.g.,
Vector).
Parameters: Often takes a const reference (const
Vector&).
Member vs Friend: Arithmetic operators are
typically member functions (unless symmetric
behavior is needed, e.g., 5 + obj).
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Relational Operator Overloading
Example: Overloading == and < for a Student Class
Key Points
• Return Type: Always returns a bool
(true/false).
• Common Operators: ==, !=, <, >,
<=, >=.
• Use Case: Sorting, searching, or
comparing objects.
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Assignment Operator Overloading
Example: Overloading = and +=
for a String Class
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Combined Example
Combined Example:
Complex Class
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• Arithmetic Operators: Return a new object (don’t modify operands).
• Relational Operators: Keep comparisons logical and intuitive.
• Assignment Operators:
•Always check for self-assignment.
•Return *this for chaining.
• Use const: For parameters and member functions where applicable.
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Concept and
Definition for
Operator
Overloading
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At the end of this session students will be able to
Learning Outcome 1:
Explain the concept of operator functions in C++ and
differentiate between member and friend functions used
for operator overloading.
Learning Outcome 2:
Implement operator functions to overload
arithmetic, relational, and assignment operators
in C++ programs.
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Learning Activity 2
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Next Session Topic
Member and Non-Member Operator
Function
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Review and Reflection
of the students
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