CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++pointerspolymorphism
Akilan
Akilan

Reputation: 279

comparing pointer to base type with derived type's pointer

Say there is a base class B and derived classes D1, D2, D3.

B* b;
D1 d1;
D2 d2;
D2 *pd2 = &d2;
D3 d3;
//more code placing valid data on variables

It is possible to say b = &d1 or b = pd2 somewhere in the code. Now is it possible to compare b with pointers to d1, d2 and d3 for equality of pointers without dynamic casting? That is, can I do this:

if (b == &d1)
{
//do something
}

?

Upvotes: 4

Views: 1138

Answers (2)

Adam
Adam

Reputation: 17339

Now is it possible to compare b with pointers to d1, d2 and d3 for equality of pointers without dynamic casting?

Yes.

if (b == pd2) is perfectly fine to see if b and pd2 point to the same object.

Upvotes: 2

bizzehdee
bizzehdee

Reputation: 21003

if (b == &d1) will simply compare the pointer addresses unless an operator overload has been created that does a compare based on the information stored within the object.

As a side note, you cannot do b = pd2 based on your code, unless your overload the operator correctly within one or both objects, or instead use b = &pd2

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions