prefix operator overloading

Question

I'm overloading the ++ prefix operator using a member function. Here's the prototype:

Test &operator++();

But my doubt comes when I use it for my object like below:

Test t;
++t;

As far I have learned that for any operator overloaded by a member function there should be a object of that same class on left side of that operator. But when I am calling this ++ prefix overloaded operator, I don't need any object of Test class on the left side.

Why?

Answer 1

Test& operator++();

is always the prefix operator by C++ standard.

In order to override the suffix operator, you need to use another signature:

Test& operator++(int);

These signature are known by the compiler and it will correctly override the right operator.

Answer 2

You just learned incorrectly. How could you have something on the left side of a unary prefix operator?

The same goes for operator~, operator-- and operator!. You don't have anything on the left side of them either.