How to execute a class method by string input in C++ - c++

Question

I am trying to develop a text adventure in C++ where users can input string commands (ex. "take apple").
Here is a very naive sample of code I came up with:
# include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class fruit{
public:
string actual_name;
fruit(string name){
actual_name = name;
}
take() {
cout << "You take a " << actual_name << "." << endl;
}
};
fruit returnObjectFromName(string name, fruit Fruits[]){
for(int i = 0; i <= 1; i++){ // to be modified in future depending on Fruits[] in main()
if (Fruits[i].actual_name == name)
return Fruits[i];
}
}
int main(){
string verb;
cout << "Enter verb: ";
cin >> verb;
string object;
cout << "Enter object: ";
cin >> object;
fruit apple("apple");
fruit Fruits[] = { apple }; // to be extended in future
// returnObjectFromName(object, Fruits). ??? ()
}
How can I possibly get the fruit method with something similar to the function returnObjectFromName, if this is even possible?
I began the development with Python (independently), and there I can at least use eval(), but as I understand in C++ this is not an option.
I tried also with map, but I didn't manage to make it work with methods.
Thank you all for your answers.

Answer 1

Its not good way to rely on reflection in C++ and i think there is no way to list methods in classes. Maybe you can use function pointers but pointer to instance methods are hell.
I recommend to use polymorphism and good design. If some items might be taken, then use interface like this:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class ITakeable {
public:
virtual bool isTakeable() = 0;
virtual void take() = 0;
virtual void cannotTake() = 0;
};
class fruit : public ITakeable {
public:
string actual_name;
fruit(string name){
actual_name = name;
}
bool isTakeable() {
return true;
}
void take() {
cout << "You take a " << actual_name << "." << endl;
}
void cannotTake() {
cout << "not needed to be implemented";
}
};
class airplane : public ITakeable {
public:
string actual_name;
airplane(string name){
actual_name = name;
}
bool isTakeable() {
return false;
}
void take() {
cout << "not needed to be implemented";
}
void cannotTake() {
cout << "You CANNOT take a " << actual_name << "." << endl;
}
};
int main() {
fruit apple("apple");
if (apple.isTakeable()) {
apple.take();
}
airplane plane("boeing");
if (plane.isTakeable()) {
plane.take();
} else {
plane.cannotTake();
}
// use of interface in general
ITakeable * something = &apple;
if (something->isTakeable()) {
something->take();
}
something = &plane;
if (something->isTakeable()) {
something->take();
} else {
something->cannotTake();
}
return 0;
}

Answer 2

Since fruit is a user defined type, you have to declare your own methods for your type or you inherit from one previously defined.
There are a lot of method for "built-in" string type
that Performs virtually the same job as eval (...) in python.
Also I noticed your function need not be defined independently outside of class fruit.