User defined copy constructor and assignment operator in c++: I think, they do the same job, if properly implemented.
A copy constructor copies an object to current(this) object. Rather passing by value which may have more overheads, it is passed by address so the address of the object is assigned to newly created object(this). So it is more cleaner.
Dear Mittal, so that means when the copy constructor is properly implemented, there is no need to overload the assignment operator?
I'd suggest you to take a look at top-rated answer here:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5368258/the-copy-constructor-and-assignment-operator
Copy constructor is only to initialize a new created object by an existing object. Assignment can be different.
The copy constructor is invoked only when a new object is created via a copy from a previous existing one. Whenever the object is already created (say foo) and you write something like foo=another_foo, then the assignment operator is invoked. As a general rule, whenever you define a copy constructor you should also overload the assignment operator.
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