CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++type-conversion
Rohith R
Rohith R

Reputation: 1329

How can I determine data type during runtime in C++?

I have a class B which derives from A:

template<class T>
class A
{
    class iterator; // Defined fully

    iterator begin ()
    {
        // Returns a pointer to the first element
    }
    iterator end ()
    {   
        // Returns a pointer to the last element
    }
}
template <class T>
class B : public A
{
    // It automatically inherits the iterator
}

template <typename InputIterator>
void foo (InputIterator first,InputIterator last)
{
    // Some code to infer whether it is of type A or B
}

Now some function say foo() is called using B::begin() at one time and sometime with A::begin().

I need to determine type during runtime to infer type and set some flag variables. How do I do this? I tried using typeinfo() but it returns the same value for both the iterators.

Upvotes: 0

Views: 129

Answers (2)

grisumbras
grisumbras

Reputation: 860

typeinfo() returns the same value, because both A::begin() and B::begin() give you a value of the same type.

You should either have B::iterator inherit from A::iterator or have a special function in your iterator that returns a reference/pointer to it's container (which is then either of type A or type B).

Upvotes: 0

Mr Hungry
Mr Hungry

Reputation: 46

From library type_traits you can use some type magic:
is_base_of - returns true if Base is base of Derived.
is_same - returns true if A is the same type as B.
Everything with type_traits can be found here http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/type_traits/?kw=type_traits

They are not so runtime, it's only some magic with structs and templates, C++ does not support type as data by default. If you want so you can use Boost library, it does support types as I know.

UPD:
As comments under the question mentioned A::iterator is absolutely the same with B::iterator, so without looking at classes they are the same memory chunk.
So solution (maybe) is to create a little different function, what depends on classes actually: 

 template <typename LeftClass, typename RightClass>
 void foo (LeftClass left, RightClass right)
 { 
     if(is_same<LeftClass, RightClass>::value)
     {

     }
 //Or that
     if(is_same<LeftClass, A>::value && is_same<RightClass, A>::value)
 }

Just don't forget to make this "friend" with classes.

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions