如何了解有效C ++中的“虚拟构造函数的实现”

Question

In Effective C++ 3rd, Item 31, p146-p147, it says

That all happens behind the scenes inside the files containing the implementations of virtual constructors.

I'm not sure how to understand virtual constructors in this sentencen.

As far as I know, there is no virutal constructor in C++.

So, is this statement a mistake in Effective C++?

Or, does this virtual constructors refers to other things?

Answer 1

As far as I know, there is no virutal constructor in C++.

Correct.

So, is this statement a mistake in Effective C++?

No.

Or, does this virtual constructors refers to other things?

It's just a common name for a design pattern which results in code that works like a "virtual constructor" would work, if it existed. Instead of saying " a mechanism which works as if the constructor was virtual, even though it technically isn't" , we simply say "virtual constructor" .

Another common name for the same pattern is "factory method".