CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++templatescopy-constructor
Loourr
Loourr

Reputation: 5125

How to write a copy constructor for Template Class - C++

In my header file I have

template <typename T>
class Vector {
    public:
         // constructor and other things

         const Vector& operator=(const Vector &rhs);   
};

and here is one declaration which I've tried so far 

template <typename T> Vector& Vector< T >::operator=( const Vector &rhs )
{
    if( this != &rhs )
    {
        delete [ ] array;
        theSize = rhs.size();
        theCapacity = rhs.capacity();

        array = new T[ capacity() ];
        for( int i = 0; i < size(); i++ ){
            array[ i ] = rhs.array[ i ];
        }
    }
    return *this;
}

this is what the compiler is telling me 

In file included from Vector.h:96,
                 from main.cpp:2:
Vector.cpp:18: error: expected constructor, destructor, or type conversion before ‘&’ token
make: *** [project1] Error 1

How do I properly declare the copy constructor?

Note: This is for a project and I cannot change the header declaration, so suggestions like this, while useful, are not helpful in this particular instance.

Thanks for any help!

Upvotes: 0

Views: 4243

Answers (1)

awesoon
awesoon

Reputation: 33661

NOTE: You declare an assignment operator, not copy constructor

  1. You missed the const qualifier before return type
  2. You missed the template argument(<T>) for return type and function argument

Use this:

template <typename T>
const Vector<T>& Vector<T>::operator=(const Vector<T>& rhs)

Upvotes: 2

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