Why doesn't the C++ default destructor destroy my objects?

Question

The C++ specification says the default destructor deletes all non-static members. Nevertheless, I can\'t manage to achieve that.

I have this:

class N         


        

Answer 1

I think you could benefit from a very simple example:

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
  N* n = new N();
} // n is destructed here

This will not print anything either.

Why ? Because the pointer (n) is destructed, not the object pointed to *n.

Of course, you would not want it to destroy the object pointed to:

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
  N myObject;
  {
    N* n = &myObject;
  } // n is destructed here, myObject is not

  myObject.foo();
} // myObject is destructed here

You should remember that unlike languages like C# or Java, there are 2 ways to create objects in C++: directly N myObject (on the stack) or via new like in new N() in which case the object is placed on the heap and YOU are reponsible for releasing it at a later time.

So your destructor destroys the pointer, but not the object pointed to. Allocate the object without new (and without using a pointer) or use a Smart Pointer if you want it to be automatic.