The copy constructor for a class is called when an object of the class is initialized by another object of the class. when an object of the class is passed by value to a function. when a function returns an object of the class. all of these

The copy constructor plays a pivotal role in C++, especially when you're dealing with classes that manage resources like dynamic memory. For instance, when you have an object initialized by another, or pass an object by value to a function, the copy constructor creates a duplicate, ensuring that each object has its own copy of the resources. It helps prevent issues like dangling pointers or double deletion, making sure your program runs smoothly! In practice, understanding how and when the copy constructor is invoked can save you from common pitfalls such as shallow copying. A classic mistake is assuming the default copy constructor is enough; however, if your class allocates memory, you’ll want to provide a custom copy constructor that allocates its own memory and copies the existing data. This way, you avoid unwanted side effects when objects are copied!