Do built-in types have default constructors?

Question

After reading this article I made a point that int () yields 0 because the temporary int is value initialized and not because int() calls the default constructor for int. (The article is flawed according to my understanding.)

I also said that primitive (built-in) types don't have constructors. The original author asked me to check Section $10.4.2 (TC++PL) which says

Built-in types also have default constructors ($6.2.8)

But I still think that the statement "C++ allows even built-in type (primitive types) to have default constructors." is flawed (as per C++03).

I think Bjarne in TC++PL has mixed up "constructor like notation i.e ()" with actual constructor call. Value initialization was not introduced at that time when Bjarne was writing the book, right? So is the text in TC++PL incorrect as per C++98 and C++03?

What do you guys think?

EDIT

I asked Bjarne personally (via mail) regarding the flawed text in TC++PL and this was his reply

I think you mix up "actual constructor calls" with conceptually having a constructor. Built-in types are considered to have constructors (whatever words the standard uses to describe their behavior).

Answer 1

Simple Answer: Technically No.

Long Answer:

No. But!

The syntax you use to initialize them makes them look like they are being constructed by a default constructor or a default copy constructor.

int x0(5);     // Looks like a constructor. Behaves like one: x is initialized.
int x1{5};

int y0();      // Fail. Actually a function declaration.
// BUT
int y1{};      // So new syntax to allow for zero initialization
int z0 = int();// Looks like a constructor. Behaves like a constructor (0 init).
int z1 = int{};

int a0(b);     // Again.
int a1{b};

So technically there are no constructors for basic-POD types. But for all intents and purposes they act just like they have a copy constructor and default constructor (when initialized with the braces).

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then its very duck like.