Explicit vs. Implicit use of the this Pointer

[fp_unit]

I have a few questions (Valmont) about using the this Pointer. I'm trying to understand more about how it's working under the hood. Let me start with some code:

Example class and main()

#include <iostream>
using std::cout;

class Example
{
    public:
        Example(int = 0);
        void print() const;

    private:
        int data;
};

Example::Example(int x)
    : data(x)
{}

void Example::print() const
{
    // Implicitly use this pointer
    cout << "data       = " << data << "\n";

    // Explicitly use this pointer
    cout << "this->data = " << this->data << "\n";
}

int main()
{
    Example obj_one(150);
    obj_one.print();

    return 0;
}

And the program output...

data       = 150
this->data = 150

To me it seems like implicit vs. explicit use of the this pointer is actually the exact same under the hood. Right now I'm under the assumption that the compiler would be converting implicit calls to explicit calls at the time of compilation, can you tell me if this is correct?

Also if anyone wants to add anything that might aid in my understanding of this that would also be appreciated.

[ender]

Although I am not Valmont (nor will I ever be) and not as talented as him in coding, I believe your assumption to be correct. this is merely a pointer to the current object. It is an implicitly passed parameter to every member function of a class. Its main use is in copy constructors and overloaded operators.

Hope this helps and I havn't butchered this too bad for all the experts out there.

-Ted

[Valmont]

That's basically correct. However, using the "this" pointer explicitly is required when using pointers-to-members-functons.
The typical difference between a function pointer and a member pointer in a nutshell:
the pointer to member *has* to have an object calling it.

Therefore in this case using the "this" keyword is required.

fp_unit, there is a short tutorial on the "this" keyword in tbe C++ tutorial section.