Consolidating two functions

Hello, all.

Let's say there are two class member functions that do the same thing but have different argument types.

Code:

---

bool some_class::isX(string S) const
{
return stl_set_object.end() != stl_set_object.find(S)
}

bool some_class::isX(const char* S) const
{
return stl_set_object.end() != stl_set_object.find(S)
}

---

So I consolidated this with a template to:

Code:

---

template <class T>
bool isX(T S) const
{
return stl_set_object.end() != stl_set_object.find(S)
}

---

But what if I wanted to pass a string object as a reference and leave character pointers alone.

So the first function would be modified to:

Code:

---

bool some_class::isX(string& S) const  //note the addressof operator here
{
return stl_set_object.end() != stl_set_object.find(S)
}

---

Would there still be a way to consolidate the two functions (one with string reference argument and another with const char*) into one using a template?

It strikes me as counter-intuitive, but I was just curious to know the flexibility of the STL and c++ with regard to this.

In theory, yes. In practice, it's more work than just having the two functions.

Would you mind telling me how it might be done? Or at least throwing me a link?

Thanks.

Two ways.
Either you can write metafunctions that decide the right argument type (or use those available in Boost).

Or you can define a string_arg class that hides the difference by calling c_str() on a string and storing it or storing a char* directly. (Of course that only works for immutable arguments.)

Thanks.

And you're right. It does seem to be more trouble than it's worth.