// e, c, d are complex
e = c*d;
// first compiler translation:
e.operator= (operator* (c,d));
// result of nested inline functions
// operator=, operator*, Complex(double,double=0):
e.re = c.re*d.re - c.im*d.im;
e.im = c.im*d.re + c.re*d.im;
The definitions operator-
and operator/
follow the same set up.