Thread: Return pointer to a vector of objects as a function return

I hope I can explain what I need to do, that is how lost I am.
Let's say you have a simple class User. For this purpose let's say really simple class.
What I am trying to do is to return a vector pointer from a function that points to a vector of Users.
I am trying to return this vector pointer in main function to a vector pointer or what that is necessary.
I have create the vector on the go. Let's say I only want to create User vector based on gender. So this will be
determined while the program is running. All the data is saved to a text file. I am reading from the file. Only get those users
who are female or male.

For this purpose, let's assume that the class is like the one below

Code:

Class User
    private:
        name;
        age;
        gender;
    public:
        getName;    
        setName;
        getAge;
        setAge;
        getGender;
        setGender;

Ask user for the input (Male or female)
call function findMatches
starts reading from the file
looks at gender info then creates vector of objects, also sets the name and age for each match with the help of pointer
and returns the pointer to the vector of objects to a receiver in main function.
Back in main the data type receives this vector pointer by a necessary data type. Not sure what this would be.


Any suggestions on how to do this.

How can I access to the class methods though?
For instance:
users->setName(extract name from file);
users->setAge(extract age from file);

Looks to be posted here as well, getting the same basic answers as well.

Nobody has answered how to access the class methods through a pointer to a vector though.

That's probably because you've not provided any actual code showing what you're trying to do.

Originally Posted by Adaptron

Nobody has answered how to access the class methods through a pointer to a vector though.

A vector is just like any other class, code sample.

Code:

// VectorStuff.cpp : Defines the entry point for the console application.
//


#include "stdafx.h"
#include <vector>
#include <iostream>




class Data
{
public:
	void print ( )
	{
		std::cout << "This is it" << std :: endl;
	}
};


int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{
	std::vector <Data*> * data = new std::vector<Data*> ( );


	for ( int i = 0; i < 10; i++ )
		data->push_back(new Data());


	for ( int i = 0; i < 10; i++ )
		data->at ( i )->print ( );
}

Ok. Finally got this I think.
I am doing something like this

Code:

// Run the matching algorithm
        vector<Match*> matchingUsers = showMatches(client);
        cout << matchingUsers.at(0)->getMatchInfo();
        cout << matchingUsers.at(1)->getMatchInfo();

What options do I have? I am trying to create a dynamic vector of objects and then return a pointer this array in another function.
Actually, this method also didn't work because I am having problems with memory segmentation fault. I am completely lost at this point.

Actually, I messed it up. I have to use vector of vectors, I think.
Because, I can get the first vector element but after that I get segmentation fault error.

Originally Posted by Adaptron

Actually, I messed it up. I have to use vector of vectors, I think.
Because, I can get the first vector element but after that I get segmentation fault error.

You could get better answers if you posted some of the code you're using and explained what you're trying to do.

Originally Posted by Adaptron

How can I access to the class methods though?
For instance:
users->setName(extract name from file);
users->setAge(extract age from file);

Read the name and age into a spare string and number type first, and then call those functions. Then finally push into the vector like Salem showed. You are making this unnecessarily difficult.

Alright, I solved this problem. Works perfect. A little complicated for my level but figured out finally.
Segmentation fault is solved by using a loop structure for the vector.
I was giving random numbers to the index which was out of the range.

Code:

for(int index = 0 ; index < matchingUsers.size(); index++)
        {
            cout << "\t\tMatch " << index + 1 << endl;
            cout << "---------------------------------\n";
            cout << matchingUsers.at(index)->getMatchInfo() << endl;
            cout << "Press any button to continue..." << endl;
            getch();
        }

Thanks for everybody's help.