using a structure..

This may seem silly to most. I want to use a structure that is in another file. I will be the only one using this structure. This file is just a header file of structures. In my main file I have a method that I will want to stuff this structure (for simplicity let's call it names_a) with data from another structure (names_b) which is in another header file. Another method initially populates "name_b" with data. In a different method I want to then copy the contents from "names_a" back into "names_b". Both methods are located in the same file. Can someone please show me an example of how I can do this? Thanks in advance!
JK

Code:

struct names_a {
int number_of_names;
char name[10];
}

struct names_b {
int number_of_names;
char name[10];
}

Um, what's the purpose of all of this?

I am getting this data from another application. I want to read it into the first structure and then write it back out to the original structure that I received the data from. The purpose is to get the number of names and the name itself...do some stuff then write the data back out.

I'm quite confused what you're asking...

If it's how to read a structure froma (binary) file then it's somethign like this:

Code:

struct S
{
   ...
};

S my_struct;
std::ifstream file("SomeFile.bin");

file.read(static_cast<char*>(&my_struct), sizeof(S));

read a tutorial on fstream, such as this one
http://www.daniweb.com/tutorials/tutorial6542.html

I don't see why you need to do this structure shuffling deal you seem so bent on.

I'm stuffing "name_a" with data from a vector...this part I have verified is working correctly. The problem I'm having is when I go to stuff this data back into the vector (container) the data is no longer there...it's garbage.

prelude, I don't think the phrase "you seem so bent on is appropriate". I may not be presenting the real issue properly. For that I apolgize and will cease to post here in the future.

I'm stuffing "name_a" with data from a vector...this part I have verified is working correctly. The problem I'm having is when I go to stuff this data back into the vector (container) the data is no longer there...it's garbage.

If you showed us some code we could help.

prelude, I don't think the phrase "you seem so bent on is appropriate". I may not be presenting the real issue properly. For that I apolgize and will cease to post here in the future.

There's no need to cease posting entirely, just try to keep you questions specific and to the point.

A block of code is worth a thousand words I really can't make out what you're trying to do. Apparently you're getting this data from another application, from a file, and from a vector all at the same time. And the purpose of the code is just as unclear (to count names? of what? huuuh? ). I believe what Prelude was trying to say is judging from the information you've given us, it doesn't sound like you need to do all this structure shuffling at all - but since you haven't told us enough for us to figure out what the heck is going on, there's no way for us to know.

OK, I sincerely apologize for not providing more (clearer description and code). I am getting the data from a vector and putting it in a local struct. I'm then inanother procedure putting this data from the local struct back into the vector. I can't post the specific code due to proprietary rights. I only was asking for someone to post an example of how this could be accomplished. I only provided the two structures as an example...obviously this is not what I am really using. I don't know if this helps or not.
Off topic. I appreciate Prelude's posts. She is second to none with her knowledge and command of this and other languages. I was taken by surprise with her reply that's all. No hard feelings at all. Prelude used to be moree tolerant..but that was 2 1/2 years ago...time on this thread will wear you down.

What's the nature of this vector? Is it a vector of structs? And why does the data even get removed from the vector anyway, if it's just getting put right back in? If it's a vector of the structs, then .size() should give you the number of structs stored in the vector.

Shooting in the dark, perhaps the reason that putting the info back into the vector ends you up with garbage is because some of the data in the struct is dynamically allocated etc, and you haven't defined your own copy constructor? If in your destructor you delete some dynamic memory, then what ends up in the struct that you just pushed onto the vector will be a dangling pointer.

vector of the same struct. the data gets put into the vector by another application. I have a local structure that matches the structure in the vector in elements and size. I read what is in the vector and put it into my local structure. I then manipulate this data and write the new results back out to the vector. Does this make sense?

For that I apolgize and will cease to post here in the future.

A quick, clean hari kari, with no whimpering. Much respect.

thanks 7stud you are most helpful! I decided to post more after reading MadCow's reply.