asked on

Stupid Question probally, Array Pointer ?

HI all,

I have 2 classes lets say Class a(base class) & class b(derived class)

now the inhertance works more or less the problem is with a function in my base class
the declaration looks like this

......
protected:
void *** getArrayPtr() { return &array; }
/* primitive operations */
virtual unsigned int getNumberOfItems () const = NULL;
virtual void resize (unsigned int newSize) = NULL;

private:
void ** array;

Now how do i in my derived class to operations on the array ??
i tried
int *p = getArrayPtr();
but this gives erros ??

ps. yet again i'cannot change anythign in the base class

jkr

>>i tried
>>int *p = getArrayPtr();
>>but this gives erros ??

According to the declaration of the method, it should be

int ***p = getArrayPtr();

However, you might be better off using

protected:
void **& getArrayPtr() { return array; }

to return a reference to the array and use

int **p = getArrayPtr();

which makes the code less clumsy to use in terms of pointer indirections.

jacquesdr

ASKER

Hye, Jkr
jkr it's workx but ;)

sorry i messed up ;)
the function in wich i calls it is a const function

unsigned int IntPtrStack::getNumberOfItems() const {

void ***p = getArrayPtr();
//return sizeof(p);
}

sorry i forgot to mention it ??
and if i use it like this it' still gives errors ;)
PS> you'll get the points;)

jkr

>>the function in wich i calls it is a const function

So you have to make sure that the call is made in a 'const' context also, e.g. by adding a const member to your derived class:

void *** getArrayPtr() const { return &array; }

jacquesdr

ASKER

but whould this return the array of the derived class instead of the array in the baseclass ??

jacquesdr

ASKER

ps . i need to use the array in the base class, ps i 've heard sumwhere you can cast a thing to not have const"ness anymore ?

jkr

AS the array is inherited by the derived class, it makes no difference. Remember, inheriting from a base class means extending it's functionality by keeping the base (except the 'private' members).

jkr

>>i 've heard sumwhere you can cast a thing to not have const"ness anymore ?

You can, but it's difficult to do it the other way round :o)

>>i need to use the array in the base class

Unless you add an 'array' member to your derived class, that's what is going to happen.

jacquesdr

ASKER

if i use "void *** getArrayPtr() const { return &array;}" in my derived class i get...

IntPtrStack.h:17: error: within this context
IntPtrStack.h:17: error: invalid conversion from `void** const*' to `void***'

jkr

Hmm, GCC with it "precise" error messages :o)

Try

const void *** getArrayPtr() const { return &array;}"

jacquesdr

ASKER

LOL ;))) i'll give it a bash ;)

jacquesdr

ASKER

nada ;((
but array in the base class is a private member ? and i can't change that ;(

and other ways you can think of ?
i tried to look at that const_cast thin but's it's hope less concernign my c++ knowledge ;(

jkr

Shoot, you're right - I thought it was 'protected'.

So, what is the exact error message you get with

unsigned int IntPtrStack::getNumberOfItems() const {

void ***p = getArrayPtr();
}

or

unsigned int IntPtrStack::getNumberOfItems() const {

const void ***p = getArrayPtr();
}

?

jacquesdr

ASKER

with void ***p = getArrayPtr();

IntPtrStack.C: In member function `virtual unsigned int
IntPtrStack::getNumberOfItems() const':
IntPtrStack.C:15: error: passing `const IntPtrStack' as `this' argument of `
void*** myutilities::TemplateStack::getArrayPtr()' discards qualifiers
-----------
and with const void ***p = getArrayPtr();

IntPtrStack.C: In member function `virtual unsigned int
IntPtrStack::getNumberOfItems() const':
IntPtrStack.C:15: error: passing `const IntPtrStack' as `this' argument of `
void*** myutilities::TemplateStack::getArrayPtr()' discards qualifiers
IntPtrStack.C:15: error: invalid conversion from `void***' to `const void***'

;)

jkr

Hmm, that's bad, what I expected. After re-reading your other Q at https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20935110/Inheritance-Why-is-my-code-not-working.html , I think you have chosen the wrong approach, as you are not expected to call non-const members from const members - what about using 'unsigned int size () const;'?

unsigned int IntPtrStack::getNumberOfItems() const {

return size ();

}

jacquesdr

ASKER

aaah ok ,
but then size returns
getNumberOfItems ???

jacquesdr

ASKER

size as seen inTemplate class is basicly just a callign function of getNumberofItems ?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

jkr

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