Copy constructors [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Why should the copy constructor accept its parameter by reference in C++?
Why is copy constructor not allowed pass by value?

I am reading the lecture notes for my class on C++. In the notes they say the copy constructor signature for a class is

MyClass(MyClass &other)

and

MyClass(MyClass other)

won't work. Why is that?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Because MyClass(MyClass other) is passing the parameter by value, which itself requires a copy to be created. This would lead to an infinite loop (terminated only when your stack overflows).