There are 4 operators in C++ which can be overloaded but cannot be overloaded as freestanding (aka nonmember, standalone) functions. These operators are: operator = operator () operator -> operator [] This thread explains perfectly well the rationale behind prohibiting operator = to be a nonmember function. Any ideas about the other three?

Rationale of enforcing some operators to be members

There are 4 operators in C++ which can be overloaded but cannot be overloaded as freestanding (aka nonmember, standalone) functions. These operators are:

operator =
operator ()
operator ->
operator []

This thread explains perfectly well the rationale behind prohibiting operator = to be a nonmember function. Any ideas about the other three?

Rationale of enforcing some operators to be members

2 Answers