When is this VB6 member variable destroyed?

Question

Suppose I have a class module clsMyClass with an object as a member variable. Listed below are two complete implementations of this very simple class.

Implementation 1:

Dim oObj As New clsObject

Implementation 2:

Dim oObj As clsObject

Private Sub Class_Initialize()
    Set oObj = New clsObject
End Sub

Private Sub Class_Terminate()
    Set oObj = Nothing
End Sub

Is there any functional difference between these two? In particular, is the lifetime of oObj the same?

Answer 1

In implementation 1 the clsObject will not get instantiated until it is used. If it is never used, then the clsObject.Class_Initialize event will never fire.

In implementation 2, the clsObject instance will be created at the same time that the clsMyClass is instantiated. The clsObject.Class_Initialize will always be executed if clsMyClass is created.