Returning 2d array of pointers in c++ - c++

I have a class and another class with class member of 2d array from the first class type.
and I need a function that returns that class member.
class Piece
{
// something is implemented here/
};
class Board
{
private:
Piece* _pieces[8][8];
public:
Piece*** getPieces()
{
return _pieces;
}
}
but that's not working.

This is a quick version of your class I made to allow the passing of the 2d array to work.
class Board
{
private:
Piece ** _pieces = new Piece*[8];
public:
Board()
{
for(int i = 0; i<8; i++)
_pieces[i] = new Piece[8];
}
Piece** getPieces()
{
return _pieces;
}
~Board()
{
for(int i = 0; i<8; i++) delete [] _pieces[i];
delete [] _pieces;
}
};

You could std::array to create 2D array of pointers if you have access to C++11/14/17, it's a lot cleaner and expressive than using the build in array that decay to a ptr.
What follows is an example of how you create and return from Booard a 8x8 2D array of pointers to Pieces.
#include <array>
class Piece
{
// something is implemented here/
};
using Pieces=std::array<std::array<Piece*,8>,8>;
class Board
{
private:
Pieces _pieces;
public:
const Pieces& getPieces()
{
return _pieces;
}
};

As suggested by #Galik in comment, you should use std::arrays here, because the sizes are constant expressions.
It is not really mandated by the standard, but for common implementations, a std::array<std::array<T,i>,j> does have a true T[i][j] 2D array as underlying data - said differently, consecutive rows use adjacent memory. std::vector on another hand acts more as an array of pointers and data of consecutive rows are generally not adjacent in memory.
Code could become:
class Board
{
private:
std::array<std::array<Piece*, 8>, 8> _pieces;
public:
std::array<std::array<Piece*, 8>, 8>& getPieces()
{
return _pieces;
}
}
But this is still poor design, because it unnecessarily exposes the underlying implementation, so you really should think twice on what should be the public methods for the Board class.

for example,
int a[3][6];
int **p=a; // it's wrong
You should use pointer like this:
int (*p)[6];
p=a;

Related

c++ error: array initializer must be an initializer list

I have really been struggling with a piece of code for a couple days. The error message i receive when i run my code is:
error: array initializer must be an initializer list
accountStore (int size = 0) : accts(size) { }
There seem to be others with similar problems here but unfortunately I am unable to apply their solutions (either don't work or not applicable).
What I am simply attempting to do is create a container class (array, can't use vectors) of a class 'prepaidAccount' but I am just unable to get the constructor portion of the container class 'storeAccount' to work. See code snippet below:
class prepaidAccount{
public:
//prepaidAccount ();
prepaidAccount(string newPhoneNum, float newAvailBal) : phoneNumber(newPhoneNum), availableBalance (newAvailBal){} //constructor
double addBalance(double howMuch) {
availableBalance = howMuch + availableBalance;
return availableBalance;
}
double payForCall(int callDuration, double tariff) {
callDuration = callDuration/60; //convert to minutes
double costOfCall = callDuration * tariff;
if (costOfCall > availableBalance) {
return -1;
}
else {
availableBalance = availableBalance - costOfCall;
return costOfCall;
}
}
void setAvailBal(int newAvailBal) {availableBalance = newAvailBal;}
float getAvailBal() {return availableBalance;}
void setPhoneNum(string newPhoneNum) {phoneNumber = newPhoneNum;}
string getPhoneNum() const {return phoneNumber;}
private:
string phoneNumber;
float availableBalance;
};
class accountStore { //made to store 100 prepaid accounts
public:
accountStore (int size = 0) : accts(size) { }
....
private:
prepaidAccount accts[100];
}
In main I simply call accountStore Account;
Any help is absolutely welcome. I very recently started learning c++ and about classes and constructors so please bear with me.
Thanks
You can't initialize an array with int like accountStore (int size = 0) : accts(size) {}.
prepaidAccount doesn't have a default constructor, you have to write member initialization list like,
accountStore (int size = 0) : accts{prepaidAccount(...), prepaidAccount(...), ...} { }
The array has 100 elements, it's not a practical solution here.
As a suggestion, think about std::vector, which has a constructor constructing with the spicified count of elements with specified value. Such as,
class accountStore {
public:
accountStore (int size = 0) : accts(size, prepaidAccount(...)) { }
....
private:
std::vector<prepaidAccount> accts;
};
Given that you have specified that you do not want to use a container such as std::vector but would like to specify the size at runtime, your only option would be to manually implement dynamic allocation yourself. Also given that you are wanting create 100 objects at a time, I would suggest making a function that can construct a temporary object according to your needs and then use this to initialise your dynamically allocated array. Consider the below code as a good starting point. (WARNING untested code.)
class prepaidAccount {
public:
// Constructor
prepaidAccount(string newPhoneNum, float newAvailBal)
: phoneNumber(newPhoneNum), availableBalance(newAvailBal) {}
// Default Constructor needed for dynamic allocation.
prepaidAccount() {}
/* your code*/
};
// Used to construct a tempoary prepaid account for copying to the array.
// Could use whatever constructor you see fit.
prepaidAccount MakePrepaidAccount(/*some parameters*/) {
/* Some code to generate account */
return some_var;
}
class accountStore {
public:
// Explicit constructor to avoid implicit type-casts.
explicit accountStore(const int &size = 0)
: accts(new prepaidAccount[size]) {
for (int i = 0; i < size; i++) {
// Will call defualt assignment function.
prepaidAccount[i] = MakePrepaidAccount(/*some parameters*/);
}
}
// Destructor
~accountStore() {
// Cleans up dynamically allocated memory.
delete[] prepaidAccount;
}
prepaidAccount *accts;
};
Edit: Amongst the c++ community it is often questionable when choosing to use dynamic allocation when there is such an excellent and comprehensive library of smart pointers. For example an std::vector would be perfect in this situation.

passing an array into a class function from another class's constructor

Sorry for the confusing title, basically I have created two classes, one is an object, and the other being a box that contains an array of such objects. so what I want to do is create a function/constructor inside the object class that takes in an array of ints and stores them inside the box. I want to be able to call this function through the box class constructor to initialize these objects. So ive tried something like below but it isnt working at all, since only the first value of the array gets passed through. What am I doing wrong?
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
class object{
string objectName;
int values[];
public:
void createObject(int[]);
}
class Box{
object objects[100];
public:
Box();
}
Box::Box (void){
int array1[2];
int array2[15];
object[1].createObject(array1);
object[2].createObject(array2);
}
Object::Object(int Values[]){
values = Values;
}
You should really use std::vector. The problem with arrays is that they decay to pointers when passed as arguments to functions. As a consequence, If you want to store a private copy of the elements you are forced to use heap-allocated objects and consequently do memory management by hand (with all the pain it causes).
It is much better to rely on data members that permit applying the rule of zero.
Here's a tentative solution:
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>
class object {
public:
object(std::vector<int> const& v, std::string const& object_name): v_(v.begin(), v.end()), object_name_(object_name) {}
private:
std::vector<int> v_;
std::string object_name_;
};
class box {
public:
box(std::vector<object> const& objects): objects_(objects) {};
private:
std::vector<object> objects_;
};
I recommend you instead use a std::vector. Arrays don't really work well being passed to functions. When you define Object::Object(int Values[]) you are simply passing the first element of this array by value. If you were to use vectors, the function would look like this:
Object::Object(std::vector<int> &Values):
values(Values)
{
}
The problem with the code is in your thinking on what the array is. In C++, all an array is, is a memory pointer. The language allows you to pass an index into the array pointer to access whatever chunk of data lives at that index.
Whenever you pass arrays between functions or classes, pass the array name only. It will be interpreted as a pointer, and won't copy any data. When you do this, you must also pass the length of the array.
Granted, most people stick with vector<> because it's easier, takes care of memory leaks (mostly) and is VERY efficient. But I like doing it myself. It's good for you. I would try:
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
class Object
{
string _objectName;
int *_values;
int _myLength;
Object();
~Object();
void createObject(int *pValues, int arrLength);
}
class Box
{
_Object objects[100];
Box();
}
Box::Box(void) {
int array1[2];
int array2[15];
object[1].createObject(array1, 2);
object[2].createObject(array2, 15);
}
Object::Object() {
_values = null_ptr;
_myLength = 0;
}
Object::~Object() {
delete[] _values;
}
void Object::createObject(int *pvalues, int arrLength) {
_myLength = arrLength;
_values = new int[_myLength];
for(int ndx=0; ndx<arrLength; ndx++) {
_values[ndx] = pvalues[ndx];
}
}
-CAUTION-
I just adapted your code you provided, and added some conventions. There are a couple places in the code where I'm not sure what the purpose is, but there you go. This should give you a good head start.

C++ Object-oriented programming

I have 1 question because I am pretty curious how to handle with such problem.
I have base class called "Pracownik" (Worker) and 2 subclasses which are made from public Pracownik;
- Informatyk (Informatic)
- Księgowy (Accountant)
Writing classes is easy. Made them pretty fast but I have small problem with main because I am helping friend with program but I was not using C++ for a while. So:
This is my header file "funkcje.h"
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class Pracownik
{
private:
string nazwisko;
int pensja;
public:
Pracownik(string="",int=0);
~Pracownik();
string getNazwisko();
int getPensja();
friend double srednia_pensja(int,Pracownik);
};
class Informatyk : public Pracownik
{
private:
string certyfikat_Cisco;
string certyfikat_Microsoft;
public:
Informatyk(string="",int=0, string="", string="");
~Informatyk();
void info();
};
class Ksiegowy : public Pracownik
{
private:
bool audytor;
public:
Ksiegowy(string="",int=0, bool=false);
~Ksiegowy();
void info();
};
double srednia_pensja(int,Pracownik);
These are definitions of my functions "funkcje.cpp"
#include "funkcje.h"
Pracownik::Pracownik(string a,int b)
{
nazwisko=a;
pensja=b;
}
Pracownik::~Pracownik()
{
}
string Pracownik::getNazwisko()
{
return nazwisko;
}
int Pracownik::getPensja()
{
return pensja;
}
Informatyk::Informatyk(string a, int b, string c, string d) : Pracownik(a,b)
{
certyfikat_Cisco=c;
certyfikat_Microsoft=d;
}
Informatyk::~Informatyk()
{
}
Ksiegowy::Ksiegowy(string a, int b, bool c) : Pracownik(a,b)
{
audytor=c;
}
Ksiegowy::~Ksiegowy()
{
}
void Informatyk::info()
{
cout<<"Nazwisko pracownika: "<<Pracownik::getNazwisko()<<endl;
cout<<"Pensja pracownika: "<<Pracownik::getPensja()<<endl;
cout<<"Certyfikat Cisco: "<<certyfikat_Cisco<<endl;
cout<<"Certyfikat Microsoft: "<<certyfikat_Microsoft<<endl;
}
void Ksiegowy::info()
{
cout<<"Nazwisko pracownika: "<<Pracownik::getNazwisko()<<endl;
cout<<"Pensja pracownika: "<<Pracownik::getPensja()<<endl;
cout<<"Audytor: ";
if(audytor)
cout<<"Tak"<<endl;
else
cout<<"Nie"<<endl;
}
double srednia_pensja(int a,Pracownik *b)
{
return 0;
}
And finally main!
#include <iostream>
#include "funkcje.h"
using namespace std;
int main()
{
Pracownik lista[10];
Pracownik *lista_wsk = new Pracownik[10];
Informatyk a("Kowalski1",1000,"Cisco1","Microsoft1");
Informatyk b("Kowalski2",2000,"Cisco2","Microsoft2");
Informatyk c("Kowalski3",3000,"Cisco3","Microsoft3");
Ksiegowy d("Kowalski4",4000,1);
Ksiegowy e("Kowalski5",5000,0);
lista[0]=a;
lista[1]=b;
lista[2]=c;
lista[3]=d;
lista[4]=e;
Informatyk *ab = new Informatyk("Kowalski1",1000,"Cisco1","Microsoft1");
Informatyk *ac = new Informatyk("Kowalski2",2000,"Cisco2","Microsoft2");
Informatyk *ad = new Informatyk("Kowalski3",3000,"Cisco3","Microsoft3");
Ksiegowy *ae = new Ksiegowy("Kowalski4",3000,1);
Ksiegowy *af = new Ksiegowy("Kowalski5",3000,0);
lista_wsk[0]=*ab;
lista_wsk[1]=*ac;
lista_wsk[2]=*ad;
lista_wsk[3]=*ae;
lista_wsk[4]=*af;
for(int i;i<5;i++)
{
lista[i].info();
cout<<endl;
}
cout<<endl;
// for(int i;i<5;i++)
// {
// lista_wsk[i].info();
// }
return 0;
}
Ok and here goes my questions:
I had to create array which is filled with base class objects "Pracownik".
Secondary i had to create array which is full of pointers to class "Pracownik" objects.
(Hope those 2 first steps are done correctly)
Next thing I had to write to array 3 objects of class Informatic and 2 of class Accountant.
So I ve created 5 objects manually and added them into the array in such way array[0]=a;. I guess this is still good.
Next thing i had to create and add similar objects to array of pointers using new. So I ve created array with new and pointers to objects with new. (Hope thats correct 2).
And FINALLY:
I had to use info() on added to array objects.
This is my main question if my array is type "Pracownik" and I want to use function info() from subclasses how should I do that? And how compiler will know if he should use info() from Accountant or Informatic while I am trying to show those information using "for".
In an array of Pracownik, the elements are of type Pracownik. Any information about the objects being of a subclass of Pracownik are lost when you copy the elements into the array.
This is called object slicing and leads to the fact that there is no way to invoke Informatyk::info() on these objects.
If you want to call methods of a subclass, you have to prevent object slicing by storing pointers or references in the array.
As Oswald says in his answer,
Pracownik * lista_wsk = new Pracownik[10];
allocates an array of 10 Pracownik objects. This is probably not what you want. With polymorphism involved, we usually want to deal with pointers or references. Hence, you'd want an array of Pracownik * pointers. Since you already know at compile-time that it will have 10 members, there is no need for a dynamic allocation here. I think you've meant to write
Pracownik * lista_wsk[10];
instead. Now we don't put objects but pointers to objects into the array. For example:
lista_wsk[2] = new Informatyk("Kowalski3", 3000, "Cisco3", "Microsoft3");
And then we can iterate over the items like so:
for (unsigned i = 0; i < 10; ++i)
std::cout << lista_wsk[i]->getNazwisko() << std::endl;
As you have already discovered, it is impossible to call a subclass function member on a superclass object. It would be possible to figure out the actual type at run-time yourslf by means of a cast.
for (unsigned i = 0; i < 10; ++i)
if (Informatyk * info_ptr = dynamic_cast<Informatyk *>(lista_wsk[i]))
info_ptr->info();
dynamic_cast returns a pointer to the target class if this is possible or a nullptr (which evaluates to false, hence the conditional) otherwise. Note however that this is considered very poor style. It is better to use virtual functions. Therefore, add
virtual void
info()
{
// Do what is appropriate to do for a plain Pracownik.
// Maybe leave this function empty.
}
to the superclass and again to the subclass
virtual void
info() // override
{
// Do what is appropriate to do for an Informatyk.
}
The function in the subclass with the same signature is said to override the function inherited from the superclass. Since the function is marked as virtual, the compiler will generate additional code to figure out at run-time what version of the function to call.
If you are coding C++11, you can make the override explicit by placing the keyword override after its type as shown above (uncomment the override). I recommend you use this to avoid bugs that arise from accidental misspelling or other typos.

How to return an array of structs from a class in a getter function

I have a relatively simple question but I cant seem to find an answer specific for my case and I just may not be approaching this problem the right way. I have a class that looks like this:
struct tileProperties
{
int x;
int y;
};
class LoadMap
{
private:
ALLEGRO_BITMAP *mapToLoad[10][10];
tileProperties *individualMapTile[100];
public:
//Get the struct of tile properties
tileProperties *getMapTiles();
};
I have an implementation that looks like this for the getter function:
tileProperties *LoadMap::getMapTiles()
{
return individualMapTile[0];
}
I have code in the LoadMap class that will assign 100 tile properties for each struct in the array. I want to be able to access this array of structs in my main.cpp file but I just cant seem to find the right syntax or approach. My main.cpp looks like this.
struct TestStruct
{
int x;
int y;
};
int main()
{
LoadMap _loadMap;
TestStruct *_testStruct[100];
//This assignment will not work, is there
//a better way?
_testStruct = _loadMap.getMapTiles();
return 0;
}
I realize that there are many approaches to this, but I'm trying to keep this implementation as private as possible. If someone could please point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
TestStruct *_testStruct;
_testStruct = _loadMap.getMapTiles();
This will get you a pointer to the first element in the array returned. You can then iterate through the other 99.
I would highly recommend using vectors, or another container, and writing getters that don't return pointers to bare arrays like that.
First of all, here, why do we need TestStruct, you can use "tileProperties" structure itself...
And imp thing,
tileProperties *individualMapTile[100]; is array of pointers to the structure.
Hence, individualMapTile will have pointers in it.
You have returned the first pointer, hence you can access the first structure only. What about the others????
tileProperties** LoadMap::getMapTiles()
{
return individualMapTile;
}
int main()
{
LoadMap _loadMap;
tileProperties **_tileProperties;
_tileProperties = _loadMap.getMapTiles();
for (int i=0; i<100;i++)
{
printf("\n%d", (**_tileProperties).x);
_tileProperties;
}
return 0;
}
Use vectors instead of arrays where possible. Also consider an array/vector of TestStruct directly rather than pointers to them. I can't tell if that would be appropriate for you from your code sample.
class LoadMap
{
public:
typedef vector<tileProperties *> MapTileContainer;
LoadMap()
: individualMapTile(100) // size 100
{
// populate vector..
}
//Get the struct of tile properties
const MapTileContainer& getMapTiles() const
{
return individualMapTile;
}
MapTileContainer& getMapTiles()
{
return individualMapTile;
}
private:
MapTileContainer individualMapTile;
};
int main()
{
LoadMap _loadMap;
LoadMap::MapTileContainer& _testStruct = _loadMap.getMapTiles();
}

Determine array size in constructor initializer

In the code below I would like array to be defined as an array of size x when the Class constructor is called. How can I do that?
class Class
{
public:
int array[];
Class(int x) : ??? { }
}
You folks have so overcomplicated this. Of course you can do this in C++. It is fine for him to use a normal array for efficiency. A vector only makes sense if he doesn't know the final size of the array ahead of time, i.e., it needs to grow over time.
If you can know the array size one level higher in the chain, a templated class is the easiest, because there's no dynamic allocation and no chance of memory leaks:
template < int ARRAY_LEN > // you can even set to a default value here of C++'11
class MyClass
{
int array[ARRAY_LEN]; // Don't need to alloc or dealloc in structure! Works like you imagine!
}
// Then you set the length of each object where you declare the object, e.g.
MyClass<1024> instance; // But only works for constant values, i.e. known to compiler
If you can't know the length at the place you declare the object, or if you want to reuse the same object with different lengths, or you must accept an unknown length, then you need to allocate it in your constructor and free it in your destructor... (and in theory always check to make sure it worked...)
class MyClass
{
int *array;
MyClass(int len) { array = calloc(sizeof(int), len); assert(array); }
~MyClass() { free(array); array = NULL; } // DON'T FORGET TO FREE UP SPACE!
}
You can't initialize the size of an array with a non-const dimension that can't be calculated at compile time (at least not in current C++ standard, AFAIK).
I recommend using std::vector<int> instead of array. It provides array like syntax for most of the operations.
Use the new operator:
class Class
{
int* array;
Class(int x) : array(new int[x]) {};
};
I don't think it can be done. At least not the way you want. You can't create a statically sized array (array[]) when the size comes from dynamic information (x).
You'll need to either store a pointer-to-int, and the size, and overload the copy constructor, assignment operator, and destructor to handle it, or use std::vector.
class Class
{
::std::vector<int> array;
Class(int x) : array(x) { }
};
Sorry for necroing this old thread.
There is actually a way to find out the size of the array compile-time. It goes something like this:
#include <cstdlib>
template<typename T>
class Class
{
T* _Buffer;
public:
template<size_t SIZE>
Class(T (&static_array)[SIZE])
{
_Buffer = (T*)malloc(sizeof(T) * SIZE);
memcpy(_Buffer, static_array, sizeof(T) * SIZE);
}
~Class()
{
if(_Buffer)
{
free(_Buffer);
_Buffer = NULL;
}
}
};
int main()
{
int int_array[32];
Class<int> c = Class<int>(int_array);
return 0;
}
Alternatively, if you hate to malloc / new, then you can create a size templated class instead. Though, I wouldn't really recommend it and the syntax is quite ugly.
#include <cstdio>
template<typename T, size_t SIZE>
class Class
{
private:
T _Array[sz];
public:
Class(T (&static_array)[SIZE])
{
memcpy(_Array, static_array, sizeof(T) * SIZE);
}
};
int main()
{
char int_array[32];
Class<char, sizeof(int_array)> c = Class<char, sizeof(int_array)>(int_array);
return 0;
}
Anyways, I hope this was helpful :)
I had the same problem and I solved it this way
class example
{
int *array;
example (int size)
{
array = new int[size];
}
}
Don't you understand there is not need to use vector, if one wants to use arrays it's a matter of efficiency, e.g. less space, no copy time (in such case if handled properly there is not even need to delete the array within a destructor), etc. wichever reasons one has.
the correct answer is: (quoted)
class Class
{
int* array;
Class(int x) : array(new int[x]) {};
};
Do not try to force one to use non optimal alternatives or you'll be confusing unexperienced programmers
Instead of using a raw array, why not use a vector instead.
class SomeType {
vector<int> v;
SomeType(size_t x): v(x) {}
};
Using a vector will give you automatic leak protection in the face of an exception and many other benefits over a raw array.
Like already suggested, vector is a good choice for most cases.
Alternatively, if dynamic memory allocation is to be avoided and the maximum size is known at compile time, a custom allocator can be used together with std::vector or a library like the embedded template library can be used.
See here: https://www.etlcpp.com/home.html
Example class:
#include <etl/vector.h>
class TestDummyClass {
public:
TestDummyClass(size_t vectorSize) {
if(vectorSize < MAX_SIZE) {
testVector.resize(vectorSize);
}
}
private:
static constexpr uint8_t MAX_SIZE = 20;
etl::vector<int, MAX_SIZE> testVector;
uint8_t dummyMember = 0;
};
You can't do it in C++ - use a std::vector instead:
#include <vector>
struct A {
std::vector <int> vec;
A( int size ) : vec( size ) {
}
};
Declare your array as a pointer. You can initialize it in the initializer list later through through new.
Better to use vector for unknown size.
You might want to look at this question as well on variable length arrays.