When is a constructor called?

A constructor is a special method used to initialize objects when they are created. It is automatically called at the moment an object of a class is instantiated. This means that when you create a new instance of a class using the new keyword in languages like Java or C++, the constructor is invoked to set up the initial state of the object, such as initializing variables and allocating resources.

The constructor plays a crucial role in object-oriented programming because it establishes the basic properties and state of the newly created object right from its formation. This ensures that any required setup logic is executed as soon as the object comes into existence, enabling the object to be in a valid state before any other methods can be called on it.