Thread: Dynamically allocated array of an abstract type

  1. #1
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    Dynamically allocated array of an abstract type

    How can you ynamically allocate an array of an abstract type?
    eg.
    Code:
        int i; Abstract* a;
        cout << "How many ? ";
        cin >> i;
        
        a = new (nothrow) Abstract[i];
    Class Abstract is abstract(has a = 0 function) and has 2 non-asbtract child classes(which I want to use to fill the array).
    However if I hardcode the array it works
    eg.
    Code:
        Abstract* a[] = {
            new ConcreteOne(),
            new ConcreteTwo(),
            new ConcreteOne()
        };

  2. #2
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    The first is an array of Abstract objects, which is invalid.
    The second is an array of pointers to Abstract, which is valid.

    Code:
    Abstract** a = new Abstract*[i];
    Remember to delete both every individual object, and then array. A Boost.PtrContainer would make this stuff a lot easier.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

  3. #3
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    Whooh that was fast.
    Thanks.
    I've just started with C++ so I don't know much about the different libs, but I'll take a look at that Boost library.

  4. #4
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    If you just started with C++ (or even if you haven't) you shouldn't be using new to create a dynamic array. Use vector instead. Or in this case, the boost ptr_vector because you are holding pointers in your array.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zerok View Post
    Whooh that was fast.
    Thanks.
    I've just started with C++ so I don't know much about the different libs, but I'll take a look at that Boost library.
    just to give you fair warning, the boost library is HUGE. try not to be intimidated by it.

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