From: Tony Williams 

Geo wrote:
> "Peter Sawatzki"  wrote in message
> news:MPG.1bf827b322d0373989741{at}news.barkto.com...
>
>
>>The main difference is that functions that operate on a class are
>>implicitly called with the self/this pointer as an invisible
"argument".
>
>
> Why is that distinction important?


Because it gives you an excellent way to use global variables under a
different name. Want to use a global but afraid of being mocked by language
lawyers? Stick it in an object and suddenly it's all ok.

Congratulations; you've managed to sneak the variable into just about every
function and nobody will ever find out where it's declared, let alone where
it's modified.


Seriously, it's a useful feature but is very easy to abuse. In a member
function, you can write

  notAGlobalHonest = 1

but it can be clearer to write

  this->notAGlobalHonest

Having said that, if you find yourself needing to use 'this' to make things
clear then it's a warning sign that your code may need refactoring.

--
Tony

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