C++ - function that returns object

Question

// Assume class definition for Cat is here.  Cat makeCat() {     Cat lady = new Cat("fluffy");     return lady; }  int main (...) {     Cat molly = makeCat();     molly->eatFood();      return 0; } 

Will there be a "use after free" error on molly->eatFood()?

Answer 1

Corrected your program and created an example implementation of class Cat:

#include <iostream> #include <string>  class Cat { public:         Cat(const std::string& name_ = "Kitty")         : name(name_)         {                 std::cout << "Cat " << name << " created." << std::endl;         }         ~Cat(){                 std::cout << "Cat " << name << " destroyed." << std::endl;         }         void eatFood(){                 std::cout << "Food eaten by cat named " << name << "." << std::endl;         } private:         std::string name; };  Cat* makeCat1() {         return new Cat("Cat1"); }  Cat makeCat2() {         return Cat("Cat2"); }  int main (){         Cat kit = makeCat2();         kit.eatFood();          Cat *molly = makeCat1();         molly->eatFood();         delete molly;          return 0; } 

It will produce the output:

Cat Cat2 created. Food eaten by cat named Cat2. Cat Cat1 created. Food eaten by cat named Cat1. Cat Cat1 destroyed. Cat Cat2 destroyed. 

I suggest you learn a basic book about the C++ cover to cover before continuing.