Copy Semantics
Copy semantics is a programming concept that defines how objects or data are duplicated in memory, typically involving the creation of a new, independent copy of an object's state. It is fundamental in languages with value types or explicit copy operations, ensuring predictable behavior when data is passed or assigned. This contrasts with reference semantics, where copying creates a new reference to the same underlying data.
Developers should learn copy semantics to write efficient and bug-free code, especially in systems programming, performance-critical applications, or when working with languages like C++, Rust, or Swift that offer fine-grained control over copying. It is essential for preventing unintended side effects, such as accidental data mutations when passing objects by value, and for implementing custom copy behavior in classes or structs to manage resources like memory or file handles.