Demystifying C++ Series: Name Mangling

Demystifying C++: Understanding Name Mangling

In our “Demystifying C++” series, we delve into Name Mangling, a crucial yet intricate feature that underpins C++’s advanced capabilities. This mechanism, by which the C++ compiler alters entity names to ensure uniqueness and convey specific details, is foundational for supporting function overloading, namespaces, class hierarchies, and templates.

Why It Matters

Without Name Mangling, the C++ features we rely on for flexibility and power wouldn’t work seamlessly. Each compiler has its approach, meaning Name Mangling can vary widely, affecting how code is linked and executed.

C++ and C Interoperability

Using extern “C”, programmers can bypass Name Mangling, making it easier for C++ code to work with C.

Learn More

For a straightforward explanation and examples of Name Mangling in action, check out our article: Demystifying C++ – Name Mangling.