Thread: Use variable to specify structure field

  1. #1
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    Use variable to specify structure field

    Hi, as a brief outline, I'm using a function to sort some data, held in an array of structures. Depending on what is passed to the function, it will need to sort based on a different field.

    i.e. if "field1" is passed to the function, the function will sort based on structure.field1. If "field2" is passed, it will be sorted based on structure.field2.

    The problem I'm having is using a variable to specify the structure field. How can I set it so that the code effectively reads

    structure.variablevalue

    depending on what is passed to the function as variablevalue.

    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Are all the fields the same type?

    What are you trying to do?
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    im sorting an array of structures. there are 5 fields - one long and 4 ints. The structures will be ordered in the array by one of the 4 int fields in them, and the user selects which one to sort by. Basically, I want to be able to pass this

    fieldvariable = "field1";


    ....

    then refer later in code to the field denoted by the variable

    e.g.

    if fieldvariable is as above, I could have

    Code:
    structure.fieldvariable
    would be seen by the program as
    Code:
    structure.field1

  4. #4
    Dump Truck Internet valis's Avatar
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    you will need to pass the address of the structure and then the offset of the member to be sorted.

  5. #5
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    Could you imagine for a second that I am the complete novice/idiot that I am, and give me the big print version with pictures (and preferably sample code)?Lol. Cheers for the rapid response!

  6. #6
    Dump Truck Internet valis's Avatar
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    edit: that was a failure, just use gcc (dunno if you can with visual studio/cl) and offsetof
    edit: If you're using cl and it doesn't have offsetof or vs doesn't
    Code:
    #define offsetof(type, field)    ((int) (& (((type *) 0)->field)))
    edit: edit: edit:
    sorry, I dropped the code
    Code:
    int main(...)
    {
        ...
        struct structType *aStruct;
        AccessArbitraryField(aStruct, offsetof(structType, fieldName);
        ...
    }
    
    AccessArbitraryField(void *aStruct, int fOff)
    {
        access it as *(aStruct + fOff)
    }
    I think that should work
    Last edited by valis; 03-17-2006 at 06:10 PM.

  7. #7
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    Maybe change your structure values to an array of ints and pass in the index to sort on.
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  8. #8
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    So if this were say excel, you'd be looking for some kind of "sort by column" feature?
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  9. #9
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    @Valis, I'm trying to get your code to work, but it complains at me for using the (aStruct + fOff) code, apparently "void" is not suitable for arithmetic.

    @WaltP, I don't think I can do that, please re-read my first post, if I'm wrong, could you explain what you mean?

    @Salem, yes exactly. I'm passing the array of structures to a bubble sort routine.

  10. #10
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Code:
    typedef enum {
      FT_INT,
      FT_LONG,
      FT_DOUBLE,
      FT_STRING,
      FT_MAX
    } cellType;
    
    typedef struct {
      cellType  type;
      union {
        int     iField;
        long    lField;
        double  dField;
        char   *sField;
      } data;
    } cell;
    The whole sheet would be
    Code:
    cell sheet[10][5];
    Setting an item would be
    Code:
    sheet[0][0].type = FT_INT;
    sheet[0][0].data.iField = 123;
    When it comes to sorting, you look at the type field and choose the appropriate comparison.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rick87
    @WaltP, I don't think I can do that, please re-read my first post, if I'm wrong, could you explain what you mean?
    You said
    i.e. if "field1" is passed to the function, the function will sort based on structure.field1. If "field2" is passed, it will be sorted based on structure.field2.
    My idea:
    i.e. if "1" is passed to the function, the function will sort based on structure.field[1]. If "2" is passed, it will be sorted based on structure.field[2].

    Turn .fieldn into an array .field[n]
    Definition: Politics -- Latin, from
    poly meaning many and
    tics meaning blood sucking parasites
    -- Tom Smothers

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