How to implement deep copy feature in some smart pointer? - c++

Question

unique_ptr is quite useful. However, it is not copyable. If virutal clone (deep copy) methods are provided for its pointed class, I think it will become more useful. Is it necessary or any better way to implement it? Any similar smart pointer exist in some library? Here is a version
template<class T>
class deep_ptr: private unique_ptr<T>
{
public:
using unique_ptr<T>::operator *;
using unique_ptr<T>::operator ->;
using unique_ptr<T>::operator bool;
using unique_ptr<T>::release;
using unique_ptr<T>::reset;
using unique_ptr<T>::get;
// add (DEFAULT_CONSTRUCTOR)(MOVE_CONSTRUCTOR)(MOVE_ASSIGNMENT_METHOD) ...
explicit deep_ptr(T* p) : unique_ptr(p) {}
deep_ptr(deep_ptr const& r) : unique_ptr(r->clone()) {}
deep_ptr& operator=(deep_ptrconst& r)
{ if (this != &r) reset(r->clone()); return *this; }
};
Juse feel it is very useful but never see similar things. ???

Answer 1

Unless I am misunderstanding what you are looking for, if a class has a clone method, that should be sufficient to get what you are looking for.
Sample code:
#include <iostream>
#include <memory>
struct A
{
virtual ~A() {}
virtual A* clone() = 0;
};
struct B : A
{
B(int in = 0) : x(in) {}
B(B const& copy) : x(copy.x) {}
virtual ~B() {std::cout << "In B::~B()\n";}
virtual A* clone() { return new B(*this); }
int x;
};
int main()
{
std::unique_ptr<A> p1(new B(10));
std::unique_ptr<A> p2(p1->clone());
return 0;
}
Output from running the above program:
In B::~B()
In B::~B()

Answer 2

Without a clone method (just a copy-constructor) the following should work:
template <typename T>
class deep_ptr
{
public:
deep_ptr() : i_() {}
deep_ptr(std::nullptr_t) : i_(nullptr) {}
template <typename U>
deep_ptr(U* u) : i_(u ? new inner_impl<U>(*u) : nullptr) {}
~deep_ptr() { delete i_; }
deep_ptr(const deep_ptr& p) : i_(p.i_ ? p.i_->copy() : nullptr) {}
deep_ptr& operator=(const deep_ptr& p)
{
if (!p.i_) { i_ = nullptr; }
else { i_ = p.i_->copy(); }
}
deep_ptr(deep_ptr&& p) : i_(p.i_) { p.i_ = nullptr; }
deep_ptr& operator=(deep_ptr&& p)
{
i_ = p.i_;
p.i_ = nullptr;
}
const T* operator->() const { return get(); }
const T* get() const
{
if (i_) { return *i_; }
return nullptr;
}
const T& operator*() const { return *static_cast<T*>(*i_); }
T* operator->() { return get(); }
T* get()
{
if (i_) { return *i_; }
return nullptr;
}
T& operator*(){ return *static_cast<T*>(*i_); }
private:
struct inner
{
virtual inner* copy() const = 0;
virtual operator const T*() const = 0;
virtual operator T*() = 0;
virtual ~inner() {}
};
inner* i_;
template <typename U>
struct inner_impl : inner
{
inner_impl(const U& u) : u_(u) {}
inner_impl* copy() const override { return new inner_impl(u_); }
operator const T*() const override { return &u_; }
operator T*() override { return &u_; }
U u_;
};
};