Question about references

Ok so I am building a tree using c++
In my remove function
and I am using a reference (TNode<Whatever> & elementTNode) to point to the deleted data in a node in the tree (TNode<Whatever> *)... So, when node is deleted the reference goes back to main function to print out the deleted data, saying that it deleted it. But the reference only has the name of the node and not the rest of the data to be printed out. So what I do not understand is how to make it point to the data and being able to hold onto it.

Ex: i tried in my Tnode remove func
elementTNode.data = data;
elementTNode.data = this->data;

doesnt work....
can sum1 plz help me?

I need more to go on. Can you post the whole remove function.

Can you post your code?

Quote:

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So what I do not understand is how to make it point to the data and being able to hold onto it.

---

You mean, assign another pointer to the data?

Code:

---

unsigned long Remove (TNode<Whatever> & elementTNode,
                        TNode<Whatever> *& PointerInParent,
                        long fromSHB = FALSE) {

if(elementTNode.data == data) {
  elementTNode.data = data;
  delete this;
}

---

so where i did elementTNode.data = data...
doesnt work....

You mean, you get a compiler error? A runtime one? Or what?

no errors... but when i try to delete a node in the tree, a msg is outputed to the user that the node is deleted with some data printed out to the user... that data that should be printed out doesnt print out to user, instead just has the name of node but no data from the node.

ex output:
Initial Symbol Table:
Tree 1:
occupancy is 0 elements.
Please enter a command ((i)nsert, (l)ookup, (r)emove, (w)rite): i
Please enter name to insert: a
Please enter number: 1
Please enter a command ((i)nsert, (l)ookup, (r)emove, (w)rite): i
Please enter name to insert: b
Please enter number: 2
Please enter a command ((i)nsert, (l)ookup, (r)emove, (w)rite): i
Please enter name to insert: c
Please enter number: 3
Please enter a command ((i)nsert, (l)ookup, (r)emove, (w)rite): r
Please enter name to remove: b
Student removed!!!
name: b with studentnum: 0
Please enter a command ((i)nsert, (l)ookup, (r)emove, (w)rite):


clearly... node with name b has a data studentnum:2
but it just prints out 0....
if i do elementTNode = this i get an error that says:
Tree.c:108: error: no match for 'operator=' in 'elementTNode = this'
Tree.c:33: error: candidates are: TNode<UCSDStudent>&
TNode<UCSDStudent>:: operator=(const TNode<UCSDStudent>&)

What is the data type of 'data'. If it is a value-type, I have no idea what the problem is. If it is a pointer type, then you probably need to actually obtain a copy of the data since you're deleting 'this'. And if it is an object-type (non-pointer), do you have an overloaded operator=, and if so, is it properly copying everything it needs? If you don't have an overloaded operator=, do you need one?

To me it looks like you have an object type, and I would guess you are overloading operator=. If so, set a breakpoint in that function, and see why the student number is not being copied.