Friend Function in C++

What is Friend?

A friend is Special One
What is the difference between a friend and a non-friend?
A friend has privileges to your private and protected stuff

 

What is Friend Function

A friend function in C++ is a function that is preceded by the keyword “friend”. When the function is declared as a friend, then it can access the private and protected data members of the class.

Characteristics of a Friend function:

• The function is not in the scope of the class to which it has been declared as a friend.
• It cannot be called using the object as it is not in the scope of that class.
• It can be invoked like a normal function without using the object.
• It cannot access the member names directly and has to use an object name and dot membership operator with the member name.
• It can be declared either in the private or the public part.