Question

Explain the programming steps necessary to make a class's member function static.

Short answer

Answer: To make a member function static in a class, follow these steps: 1. Declare the static member function in the class definition using the 'static' keyword before the function declaration. 2. Implement the behavior of the static member function outside the class using the scope resolution operator `::`. 3. Call the static member function using the class name and the scope resolution operator, without creating an instance of the class.

Step-by-step solution

1. Introduction to Static Member Functions in a Class

Static member functions are functions that belong to the class rather than any specific object of the class. They can be called without creating an instance of the class and do not have access to the non-static data members or member functions of the class. They can only access static data members and call other static member functions.

2. Define the class and declare the static member function

Firstly, define the class in which the static member function needs to be created. Declare the member function by using the `static` keyword before the function declaration in the class definition. Here's an example: ```cpp class MyClass { public: static void staticFunction(); // Declare static member function using 'static' keyword }; ```

3. Implement the static member function

Now, define the behavior of the static member function outside the class, using the scope resolution operator `::`. This allows the static member function to be linked with the class name: ```cpp void MyClass::staticFunction() { // Implementation of the static member function std::cout << "This is a static member function" << std::endl; } ```

4. Call the static member function

Finally, to call the static member function, you don't need to create an instance of the class. Instead, call the static member function directly using the class name and scope resolution operator. Here's an example: ```cpp int main() { // Call the static member function using the class name and scope resolution operator MyClass::staticFunction(); // Output: "This is a static member function" return 0; } ``` That's it! By following these steps, a class's member function can be made static.