Thread: vector of pointers vs vector of values

  1. #1
    Shadow12345
    Guest

    vector of pointers vs vector of values

    there are two ways that i know of to create vectors
    vector<type> or vector<type*>
    with the former you must call
    vector.resize(number_instances_of_type);
    the latter
    vector.push_back(new type);

    I was thinking about the way memory is allocated. when you get right down to it they both must allocate memory in much the same way, the only obvious difference being vector.push_back(new type) calls the constructor. anything you guys can add to or correct in these statements?

  2. #2
    geek SilentStrike's Avatar
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    With the former you can call vector.push_back(type());
    With the latter, you can call vector.resize(number_of_pointers_to_type);

    If you are constructing objects (non-primitives), their constructor is always called. IE, vector.push_back(type()) constructs a default instance of type, then calls it's copy constructor.

    Code:
    #include <vector>
    #include <iostream>
    
    class test {
    public:
    	test() {
    		std::cout << "test::test()" << std::endl;
    	}
    	test(const test& o) {
    		std::cout << "test::test(const test&)" << std::endl;
    	}
    };
    
    int main() {
    	std::vector<test> vecOfValues;
    	vecOfValues.push_back(test());
    	
    	std::vector<test*> vecOfPointers;
    	vecOfPointers.resize(3); // 3 null pointers
    	for (int i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
    		std::cout << vecOfPointers[i] << '\n';
    	}
    	return 0;
    }
    Use a vector of values unless you need polymorphism.
    Prove you can code in C++ or C# at TopCoder, referrer rrenaud
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