Operator for array assignment.

[39ster]

I know how to overload the array operator to GET a value:

a = myClass[1];

But how do i would i set the value like this:

myClass[1] = a;

[Desolation]

How does it make a difference ? You just have to make sure that myClass:perator [] returns a reference (which it should anyway).

[laserlight]

Actually, there should be two versions of myClass::operator[]. One returns a reference, the other returns a const reference.

[Desolation]

True. For const-correctness.

Edit: The one which returns a const reference should also be a const function.

T_& myClass::operator [] (unsigned int i) { return mystuff[i]; }
const T_& myClass::operator [] (unsigned int i) const { return mystuff[i]; }

[39ster]

Ok heres my new problem. I cant return a reference -_-.

Heres the code:

    T operator[](int pIndex)
    {
        if(pIndex >= 0 && pIndex < count)
            return items[pIndex];
        return T();
    }

If i change it to:

    T& operator[](int pIndex)
    {
        if(pIndex >= 0 && pIndex < count)
            return items[pIndex];
        return T();  //<<< this doesnt work 
    }

error: invalid initialization of non-const reference of type 'int&' from a temporary of type 'int'

Where T is int

[Desolation]

Explain "doesn't work". It's Chinese to me.

[laserlight]

You have a choice: you can simply return the index and make it the caller's responsibility to provide a valid index, or you can check and throw an exception (e.g., std::out_of_range) if the index is invalid. The former is what operator[] for the standard containers do, the latter is what the at() member function for the standard containers do.

You certainly cannot return a reference to a local temporary.

[King Mir]

    T& operator[](int pIndex)
    {
        if(pIndex >= 0 && pIndex < count)
            return items[pIndex];
        return T();  //<<< this doesnt work 
    }

error: invalid initialization of non-const reference of type 'int&' from a temporary of type 'int'

Where T is int

Right, because that way the compiler prevents you from doing this:

Myclass[-1]=a;

If you want to allow the above, then returning a temporary is not enough. You have to actually put the newly constructed object in your array.

Or you can decide on some other behavior for an invalid index as suggested by above.

[39ster]

Thanks. Also i just figured out what putting const at the end of const-safe functions does.

    const T& operator[](int pIndex) const
    {
        return items[pIndex];
    }

    T& operator[](int pIndex)
    {
        return items[pIndex];
    }

[iMalc]

Thanks. Also i just figured out what putting const at the end of const-safe functions does.

Ah yes, that const applies to the implicit 'this' parameter to non-static class functions. That's simply how you make 'this' a pointer to const.