Simple Question - std::vector as argument

Hello,

I am new to C++ and trying to understand how arguments are passed to functions, particular with regards to objects such as the std::vector.

When a variable is passed as an argument to a function, a copy of the variable is made, and the copy is passed to the function, right? For this reason, if we are passing a large object to a function, it is wise to pass a pointer to the object, rather than the object itself, to speed things up.

However, what happens when a std::vector is passed as an argument?

Suppose the we have a vector of objects of type MyClass, such as vector<MyClass> my_vector, and we pass this as an argument to a function. Will the entire vector be copied, such that every instance of MyClass stored in the vector is also copied? This would take a long time right?

But if we have a vector of pointers, such as vector<MyClass*> my_vector, then when the vector is passed as an argument, are the actual objects themselves copied, or is a copy only made of the pointers to those objects?

Is there any way we can pass a vector as an argument, without having to make all these copies, as this is very time consuming??

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ejohns85

Suppose the we have a vector of objects of type MyClass, such as vector<MyClass> my_vector, and we pass this as an argument to a function. Will the entire vector be copied, such that every instance of MyClass stored in the vector is also copied? This would take a long time right?

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Yes. Maybe ("long time" is relative).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ejohns85

But if we have a vector of pointers, such as vector<MyClass*> my_vector, then when the vector is passed as an argument, are the actual objects themselves copied, or is a copy only made of the pointers to those objects?

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Just as with a vector<MyClass>, the elements of the vector are copied, but in this case the elements are pointers, so the latter is correct.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ejohns85

Is there any way we can pass a vector as an argument, without having to make all these copies, as this is very time consuming??

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Pass the vector by (const) reference, or in some cases, as you noted, you would pass a pointer to the vector.

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...This would take a long time right?

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Define "long". If you store instances of objects in the class then yes this can cause problems. If you are storing pointers to objects on the heap in the vector then not so much. But 'long' is a relative term. The time required in one program may be fine whereas in another would be unacceptable. It depends on what your performance requirements are.