Mastering C++: Understanding Name Decoration for Compilers

What term describes the compiler-generated names used for internal purposes, which could include the class name and argument types?

• A. Name decoration
• B. Signature hashing
• C. Type embedding
• D. Function mapping

Answer: (A)

Name decoration is the process of modifying a function or variable name in computer programming in order to encode more information in the name, for example class names, argument types, or memory locations. This is done by the compiler and is used for internal purposes. The other options are incorrect because signature hashing refers to the process of generating a unique identifier for a function based on its signature, type embedding is a method of incorporating one data type into another, and function mapping is the process of assigning a function to a unique key for easy retrieval. None of these definitions describe the term in question which asks specifically about names used for internal purposes.

Have you ever stumbled upon a term that made you scratch your head just a bit? One such concept in C++ is "name decoration." You might wonder, what's the big deal about it? Well, it’s all about how the compiler deals with function and variable names under the hood, and understanding it can really enhance your grasp of C++. So, let’s break it down, shall we?