return values from function with variable number of arguments

Hi all,

In C/C++ it is possible to create a function that takes a variable number of arguments using the va_list type found in stdarg.h. These arguments can be used as input for the function.

Does anybody know if it is possible to create a function where a variable number of arguments can be used as output. So that each of the arguments gets a new value assigned. I would like to create something like this:

Code:

---

void  CopyResult(int numberArgs, ...) {
  va_list  argp;
  va_start(argp, numberArgs);
  for(int i = 1; i < numberArgs; i++)  {
      //assign argument 'i' here
      .....
      va_arg(argp, int);  }
  va_end(argp);
  }
}

---

Using an array is not possible for me. Since I plan to extend the function to not only take a variable number of arguments but also variable types.

You mean the same way that scanf() type functions can store many answers?

Exactly

Sure, you do what you're doing now, except your va_arg needs to extract pointers (which you then dereference and store a value there).

Hi Salem,

I figured out the part about passing only pointer type arguments.

It is the the dereferencing that is baffling me. Just using a cast doesn't seem to do the trick.

Code:

---

char* TempChar;

TempChar = (char*)argp;
strcpy(TempChar , thevalue);

---

PS. 8000+ posts WOW !!!

It's all done with va_arg and the 2nd parameter

Code:

---

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdarg.h>

void foo ( int num, ... ) {
  char *p;
  va_list  argp;
  va_start(argp, num);
  p = va_arg(argp,char*);
  strcpy(p,"hello");
  p = va_arg(argp,char*);
  strcpy(p,"world");
  va_end(argp);
}

int main(void)
{
  char s1[10], s2[10];
  foo ( 2, s1, s2 );
  printf( "%s %s\n", s1, s2 );
  return 0;
}

---

There is no way, with stdarg, to get the number of arguments unless YOU provide that information. You have to pass information to the function that specifies how many arguments there are. That is essentially what scanf() does, albeit indirectly: the format string specifies exactly what arguments follow it, and what type they are. And, if you have a mismatch between what's in the format string and the arguments that follow .... the result is often problematical

In C++ you can try some combination of a vector and boost::any.

I have made some progress. This is the current state of my function:

Code:

---

bool        SQL_ResultWithValues(SQL_Output *SQL_Statement, const char *Typelist, ...)
{
        int    cType, Column;
        char  *TString = 0;
        int    *TInt    = 0;
        double *TDouble = 0;
        va_list        argp;
       
        va_start(argp, Typelist);
        for (int i = 1; i < strlen(Typelist); i += 2)
        {
                Column = (int)((i-1)/2);
                if (!strncmp(Typelist + i - 1, "%", 1 ) )
                {
                        cType = (int)Typelist[i];
                        switch (cType)
                        {
                        case 115 : case 83        :        // s or S
                                TString = va_arg(argp, char*);
                                strcpy(TString, getResultAsString(SQL_Statement, Column) );
                        break;
                        case 100 : case 68        :        // d or D
                                TInt        = va_arg(argp, int*);
                                // getResultAsInt returns an int
                                TInt        = (int*)getResultAsInt(SQL_Statement, Column);
                        break;
                        case 102 : case 70        :        // f or F
                                TDouble = va_arg(argp, double*);                                                                       
                                // next statement gives compiler error 'cannot convert double* to double'
                                // getResultAsDouble returns a double
                                TDouble = (double*)getResultAsDouble(SQL_Statement, Column);
                        break;
                        default                                :
                                printf("Unknown Type in Typelist: %s at position %d Token=%s\n",
                                Typelist, i, Typelist[i]);
                                va_end(argp);
                                return false;
                        break;
                        }
                }
                else
                {        printf("Error parsing Typelist: %s at position %d\n", Typelist, i);
                        return false;
                }
        }
        va_end(argp);
        return true;
}

---

I am calling this function for example with:

Code:

---

int    ID;
double Value;
char  Remark[100];
               
DB->SQL_ResultWithValues(&SQLOut, "%d%f%s", &ID, &Value, &Remark);

printf("%d,%f,%s\n", ID, Value, Remark );

---

The Typelist parameter gives the number of arguments and it's type. (and yes the % characters aren't really necessary). I
agree with grumpy that there is a risk of mismatches between Typelist and actual types.
I am not familiar (yet) with 'boost::any'


For string type values everything works perfect.
For integers no values are returned.
For doubles I get an compiler error.

So I think i'm on the right track, but the code needs some tweeking.

I am using DevC with gcc 3.4.2

> case 115 : case 83
Write this for readability
case 's' : case 'S' :

> TInt = (int*)getResultAsInt(SQL_Statement, Column);
Dereference, don't cast
*TInt = getResultAsInt(SQL_Statement, Column);
Ditto for your double result.

Hi,

Tried it. And it works brilliantly. Looks so simple, so why couldn't I figure it myself. :rolleyes:

I also used 's' etcetera instead of the ascii value. My presumption was incorrect that this is impossible when the 'switched' variable is an integer.

Thanks for all the help.

[SOLVED]