Thread: returning object in a map

Hello

I have a class with a map where I store some data:

Code:

class someobject {
};


class someclass {
public:
  someobject & get_object() {
  }

private:
  std::map<std::string, someobject> m_map;
};

I'm not sure what would be the best way to implement get_object() function so that it would return reference to the object (if its in the map)..

I know I could leave it like this and do throw catch if the map doesnt contain the object - but thats not the way I want to go..

The next option is to use boost:: optional, but here I have a lot of 'crap' code for instance:

boost:: optional<someobject&> oobject = ...;

Does anyone know of any simpler/better way to implement it?

Originally Posted by laserlight

It seems like the best way to me if you want to return a reference.

I agree with you, but the problem is I want to minimize the code, thats why I want this get_object() function but catch blocks wouldnt make any benefit in that case..

>> Then another approach could be to take a reference to an object to bind to and return a bool indicating success or failure.

That would have to be a pointer since using a reference wouldn't allow for the calling code to update the value actually stored in the map.