Question

Defining an array of structures and inserting values systematically

Asked by: Asmodi

Here is the code in the header:

struct history_row {
    enum curr history_from;
    enum curr history_to;
    float value;
    float result; };
history_row convert3[30];
int history_count = 0;


Within a function, I have this code:

convert3[history_count] = {
        convert1,
        convert2,
        amount,
        to_rate / from_rate * amount
        };


enum curr, convert1, convert2, amount, to_rate, and from_rate are all defined and of appropriate type.  I am sure of that.  However, when I try to compile, Dev-C++ (version 4.9.8.0) gives me the error:

parse error before `{' token

On line 94, which is "convert3[history_count] = {".  I've tried defining some initial values for convert3 in the global scope and that didn't work.  Help is much appreciated.

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Asked On
2004-02-13 at 14:39:35ID20884530
Topic

C++ Programming Language

Participating Experts
2
Points
400
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: jkrPosted on 2004-02-13 at 14:43:28ID: 10356936

Try

history_row row = {
       convert1,
       convert2,
       amount,
       to_rate / from_rate * amount
       };

convert3[history_count] = row;


 

by: DexstarPosted on 2004-02-13 at 14:45:18ID: 10356954

@Asmodi:

You can only use the { } style of setting the value when you instaniate the object.  But you instaniate the object with this line:
     history_row convert3[30];

So, after that, it is too late.  Try changing your struct to look like this:
    struct history_row {
        enum curr history_from;
        enum curr history_to;
        float value;
        float result;

        void SetValues( enum curr from, enum curr to, float val, float res )
        {
            history_from = from;
            history_to = to;
            value = val;
            result = res;
        }
    };

Then you can use this code to set the values:
    convert3[history_count].SetValues( convert1, convert2, amount, to_rate / from_rate * amount );

Hope That Helps,
Dex*

 

by: DexstarPosted on 2004-02-13 at 14:49:58ID: 10356996

@Asmodi:

What jkr suggested should work for you, but keep in mind that it will cause all of the values to be copied twice.  Once to the temporary struct "row", and then it copies all of "row" to the element in the convert3 array.

Dex*

 

by: AsmodiPosted on 2004-02-13 at 18:38:42ID: 10358483

Thanks Dexstar, it worked perfectly and I learned a little.

 

by: jkrPosted on 2004-02-13 at 18:52:25ID: 10358571

For the records:

>>keep in mind that it will cause all of the values to be copied twice

That's true. However, it is also true that a function call will no only cause that overhead also, but introduce even more. I am slightly taken aback by that claim, since you should know better. Seems a *tad* bit unfair or at least unthoughtful to me to use that argumentation, since what I posted is valid and works. Period.

 

by: DexstarPosted on 2004-02-13 at 20:19:48ID: 10358883

@jkr:

I have nothing but respect for you.  As such, I'm going to engage in the following friendly debate for purely academic reasons...

1) A function call won't cause the same overhead.  The values would never be copied twice, just once.  A function call causes completely different overhead, and whether that is more or less than copying the values again needs to be measured.

2) The function is declared implicitly inline, so there is no actual overhead from the function call at all.  The values are assigned as if you had just assigned the elements individually within the function.

3) I didn't mean to steal your points, and I didn't mean to trump your answer.  We cross posted, I was writing my answer while you were writing yours.  When I saw your answer, I was a little disappointed that you would suggest something so inefficient, since YOU should know better.

4) Does your answer work?  Absolutely, and I stated as much.  But copying the values to a temporary struct, and then copying that struct to the one in the array is wasteful.  But it does make for a nice, short, easy to type answer.

I didn't mean to be unfair nor unthoughtful, and I don't think that I was.  If you really think your answer is as efficient or is in any other way better than mine, I would really like to see some evidence to back it up.  Show me, and the points are yours.

Again, like I said before, jkr, I have nothing but respect for you...

Dex*

 

by: jkrPosted on 2004-02-14 at 19:02:55ID: 10363662

>>A function call won't cause the same overhead.  The values would never be copied twice,

Um, so they are not copied on the stack forst before being passed?

>>The function is declared implicitly inline

True, but at least on VC, you cannot guarantee that

>>I didn't mean to steal your points

I did not think that - your approach works, and I honestly was thinking of a similar one also. I just thought of that very comment as being misplaced.

And I might add that I had a bad day yesterday and maybe have been harsher than I usually am :o)

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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