CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++stdvector
user314159
user314159

Reputation: 21

What non-destructive alternatives exist to class vectors in c

I'm using a vector to hold pointers to a class.

class fooContainer{
private:
    vector <Foo *> foos;
public:
    void processFoo(int fooIndex);
};

The problem I face is that pop_back() drops the element, I only want to remove it from the vector but not touch the object in question. I also need to remove all elements from a vector in preparation for restarting the main cycle (but keeping the same vector, which is a class attribute).

I need a structure that has dynamic sizing but does not copy or delete its elements, being content to hold pointers to them.

Is there a better alternative structure, or am I using them all wrong?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 358

Answers (4)

Daniel
Daniel

Reputation: 31589

Vector does copy and destroy its contents, but in your case the content is pointer to object and not the object.
The specific pointer to the object will be destroyed, but other pointers to that object, and the object itself, won't be destroyed.

Upvotes: 4

Tony The Lion
Tony The Lion

Reputation: 63250

If you just want to get a copy of your pointer from your vector, then you can use Foo* pfoo = v[0] or the at(index) function for checked access.

Also you want to clear all your pointers, you can loop through them and delete them all and call v.clear() to remove all elements.

If you want a vector that already does the deleting of pointers for you correctly, use a boost::vector_ptr

Upvotes: -1

Zdeslav Vojkovic
Zdeslav Vojkovic

Reputation: 14591

pop doesn't "drop" the element, it just removes it from the vector. As your vector contains pointers, you are responsible for deleting them appropriately.

Vector does exactly what you ask for.

To remove the elements, just call vector.clear()

Upvotes: 0

Luchian Grigore
Luchian Grigore

Reputation: 258638

What you have does exactly that. The object elements in the vector point to won't be destroyed unless you explicitly delete them.

Alternatively, if you want to use the same pointers in multiple places with shared ownership, I suggest using std::shared_ptr.

Upvotes: 1

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