Initializing Class member pointers 1

[SDowd]

Hey everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between

ClearDialog::ClearDialog():
m_pIDTextCtrl(NULL),
m_pDispatchComboBox(NULL),
m_pCauseComboBox(NULL),
m_pCureComboBox(NULL),
m_pTextBox(NULL)
{

}

and:

ClearDialog::ClearDialog()
{
m_pIDTextCtrl = NULL;
m_pDispatchComboBox = NULL;
m_pCauseComboBox = NULL;
m_pCureComboBox = NULL;
m_pTextBox = NULL;
}

Is there any advantage one way or the other for either approach to initializing member pointers in the constructor?

Thanks

 

[cpjust]

Using the initialization list in the first example is more efficient because no temporary objects need to be created, and the copy constructors are used instead of using the default constructors, then using the assignment operators.

Chapter 47. Define and initialize member variables in the same order

Chapter 48. Prefer initialization to assignment in constructors

 

[SDowd]

Thank you for your reply. I think I've given myself a new standard to follow.
And Just as a side note.. I've been frequenting this site for some time now, and you seem to be one of the main contributers to this forum.. so on behalf of the ones you have helped: Thank you.

 

[uolj]

By the way, in the case of pointers initialized to null (and other built-in types), you really won't get a performance benefit. However, you should still use the initializer list for consistency.