dot (.) operator in C++

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

The C++ dot (.) operator is used for direct member selection via the name of variables of type class, struct, and union. It is also known as the direct member access operator. It is a binary operator that helps us to extract the value of the function associated with a particular object, structure, or union.

Syntax:

variable_name.member;

variable_name: It's an instance of a class, structure, or union.
member: member variables or member functions associated with the created object, structure, or union.

Example:

C++

// C++ Program to demonstrate the use of dot operator #include <iostream> using namespace std; class base { public:  int var1;  base(int x) { var1 = x; }  void getValue()  {  cout << "Member Function Called" << endl;  } }; // driver code int main() {  // creating new object  base b(222);  // calling member function using dot(.) operator  b.getValue();  // getting member variable  cout << "Member Variable Value: " << b.var1;  return 0; }

Output

Member Function Called Member Variable Value: 222

C++

// C++ Function // tO demonstrate // Indirect member selection operator void addXtoList(Node* node, int x) {  // Node is a class  while (node != NULL) {  node->data = node->data + x;  node = node->next;  } }

Can the dot (.) operator be overloaded?

No, the dot (.) operator cannot be overloaded in C++. Doing so will cause an error.

Example:

C++

// C++ program // illustrate Overloading // .(dot) operator #include <iostream>; using namespace std; class cantover { public:  void fun(); }; // assume that you can overload . operator // Class X below overloads the . operator class X {  cantover* p;  // Overloading the . operator  cantover& operator.() { return *p; }  void fun(); }; void g(X& x) {  // Now trying to access the fun() method  // using the . operator  // But this will throw an error  // as we have overloaded the . operator above  // Hence compiler won't allow doing so  x.fun(); }

Output:

prog.cpp:11:20: error: expected type-specifier before '.' token
 cantover& operator.() 
 ^
prog.cpp:11:12: error: expected ';' at end of member declaration
 cantover& operator.() 
 ^
prog.cpp:11:20: error: expected unqualified-id before '.' token
 cantover& operator.() 
 ^
prog.cpp: In function 'void g(X&)':
prog.cpp:15:7: error: 'void X::fun()' is private
 void fun(); 
 ^
prog.cpp:19:8: error: within this context
 x.fun(); // X::fun or cantover::fun or error? 
 ^