Thread: Returning Multiple Tuples?

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but as I dig into C++ I keep finding things that surprise me.

I know I can return an object that could contain just about anything (or pointers to everything). Other than that, is there any way to return multiple tuples from a function in C++, like can be done in Perl?

Thanks!

I'm not sure what you mean by "multiple tuples" -- to me, a 3-tuple is just three numbers, etc. Anyway, maybe this code will strike some sparks:

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

std::vector<int> sample(void) {

    std::vector<int> retval;
    retval.push_back(1);
    retval.push_back(2);
    retval.push_back(3);
    return retval;
}

int main(){

    std::vector<int> george;
    george = sample();
    std::cout << george[0] << std::endl;
    std::cout << george[1] << std::endl;
    std::cout << george[2] << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

i would say i know a fair bit about c and c++, but like yourself, i can be mistaken often and be surprised of what i discover.

having said that, a function can return one single object (or value if it is a primitive type). if you are precise in saying you want to return multiple 'tuple''s (a bunch of items of a different type), you would return a collection of either user-defined struct or class. by collection i mean something like an array (pointer as you stated), set, etc.. if you dont actually mean 'tuple' and mean just more than one of the same type, then again some collection-type of object would be used.

not sure if this is obvious to you or not--hope it helps.

Okay, yes, I've done something like that with vectors. I was just wondering if there were something I was totally clueless about that would let me return two items at once. The only language I know that does that is Perl, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Originally Posted by HalNineThousand

Okay, yes, I've done something like that with vectors. I was just wondering if there were something I was totally clueless about that would let me return two items at once. The only language I know that does that is Perl, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

What's a std:: pair, then, chopped liver?
http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl/pair.html

boost::tuple ?