c++ - When do we need to have a default constructor?

Question

My question is simple. When do we need to have a default constructor? Please refer to the code below:

class Shape
{
    int k;

public:
    Shape(int n) : k(n) {}
    ~Shape() {}
};

class Rect : public Shape
{
    int l;

public:
    Rect(int n): l(n)
    {}      //error C2512: 'Shape' : no appropriate default constructor available

    ~Rect() {}
};

1. Why is the compiler not generating the zero argument default constructor implicitly in the class Rect?

2. As per my knowledge, if a class (Rect) is derived from another class (Shape) that has default constructor (either implicitly generated or explicitly provided), the default constructor should be generated by the compiler.

Answer 1

A default constructor is not synthesised if you created your own constructor with arguments. Since you gave Shape a constructor of your own, you'd have to explicitly write out a default Shape constructor now:

class Shape
{
      int k;

  public:
      Shape() : k(0) {}
      Shape(int n) : k(n) {}
      ~Shape() {}
};

(You can leave out the empty ~Rect() {} definitions, as these will be synthesised.)

However, it looks to me like you don't want a default constructor for Shape here. Have Rect construct the Shape base properly:

class Shape
{
      int area; // I've had to guess at what this member means. What is "k"?!

  public:
      Shape(const int area)
         : area(area)
      {}
};

class Rect : public Shape
{
     int l;
     int w;

  public:
     Rect(const int l, const int w)
        : Shape(l*w)
        , l(l)
        , w(w)
     {}
};

Also note that this example is oft cited as an abuse of OO. Consider whether you really need inheritance here.