C++ Destructor

A destructor works opposite to constructor; it destructs the objects of classes. It can be defined only once in a class. Like constructors, it is invoked automatically.

A destructor is defined like constructor. It must have same name as class. But it is prefixed with a tilde sign (~).

Note: C++ destructor cannot have parameters. Moreover, modifiers can't be applied on destructors.

C++ Constructor and Destructor Example

Let's see an example of constructor and destructor in C++ which is called automatically.

1. #include <iostream>  
2. using namespace std;  
3. class Employee  
4.  {  
5.    public:  
6.         Employee()    
7.         {    
8.             cout<<"Constructor Invoked"<<endl;    
9.         }    
10.         ~Employee()    
11.         {    
12.             cout<<"Destructor Invoked"<<endl;    
13.         }  
14. };  
15. int main(void)   
16. {  
17.     Employee e1; //creating an object of Employee   
18.     Employee e2; //creating an object of Employee  
19.     return 0;  
20. }  

Output:

Constructor Invoked
Constructor Invoked
Destructor Invoked
Destructor Invoked