Text RPG - Overloading Operators

Aside from my Database project, I have another little secret :)

I'm creating (more like trying to create) a Text RPG. I have a StatsMgr class in which i'm going to add a few overloaded operators to manipulate the Users levels.

I'm just starting to code the first operator to increment the Players Level, but then I thought "Do I need to overload the prefix operator or the postfix operator?".

Hm.... Which is suitable? Tell me what you think :)

The general rule of thumb is prefix operator, unless you actually need a postfix.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tabstop

The general rule of thumb is prefix operator, unless you actually need a postfix.

---

Thanks, that's easier of the 2 in my oppinion anyways :)

[edit]
I have overloaded it :)

Code:

---

StatsMgr& StatsMgr::operator++()
{
    ++PlayerLevel;
    return *this;
}

---

What does everyone think? Is it alright?

hmm... you are talking about C++ operator overloading, right? If so, are you sure that overloading an operator is even the correct choice to begin with?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by laserlight

hmm... you are talking about C++ operator overloading, right?

---

Yeah, sure I am.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by laserlight

If so, are you sure that overloading an operator is even the correct choice to begin with?

---

Sorry, i'm not following?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by legit

Sorry, i'm not following?

---

Suppose you see this: ++stats_mgr; Would you think that this is "increment player level" or "increment stats manager"? On the other hand, the call of a named function like stats_mgr.playerLevelUp() or something like that would immediately bring to mind "increment player level".

The postfix operator can be implemented as creating a temp object and invoking the prefix operator on it and returning it.
Alternatively, you can derive from boost::incrementable.
http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_32_0....htm#smpl_oprs

But, as laserlight says, beware. If it isn't immediately obvious what the operators does, don't do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by laserlight

Suppose you see this: ++stats_mgr; Would you think that this is "increment player level" or "increment stats manager"? On the other hand, the call of a named function like stats_mgr.playerLevelUp() or something like that would immediately bring to mind "increment player level".

---

Oh so it's better to just make a function to do this instead of using operators?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by legit

Oh so it's better to just make a function to do this instead of using operators?

---

Probably, unless you were overloading operator++ for a PlayerLevel class. Note, however, that overloaded operators are functions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by laserlight

Probably, unless you were overloading operator++ for a PlayerLevel class. Note, however, that overloaded operators are functions.

---

Ok thanks, I'll just create a non-overloading operator function to do this for me :)