Re: how to invoke a method in C++?
* Bob:
My first language is Java and am now transferring to C++. I have two
questions.
(1) In Java, we have a very good API documentation.
In C++ we have even better! <g> And truth be told, also worse, because
in contrast to Java C++ is much based on using third-party libraries,
which aren't always perfectly documented. In short, be prepared for a
much more varied experience.
However, I could not find an equivalent for C++.
The C++ language and standard library is formally documented by the C++
standard. Which is not free, but the PDF version is US $18 or
thereabouts; you'll want the 2003 revision (technical corrigendum 1).
Also, Josutti's book on the standard library is generally recommended.
I tried to use the MSDN documentation
accompanying Visual Studio 2005.
That's also available online. Also perhaps check out the SGI STL online
documentation, and the Dinkumware stdandard library online documentation.
But I found it is not so good as the
JDK documentation provided by Sun. For example, it is not easy to
distinguish from the documentation if a method in C++ is a static
method (invoked without an object), or the method is a instance method
(must be invoked by an object).
A static member function is denoted by the word 'static'. In addition,
there are free-standing functions that are not class members.
(2) The second question is actually the same as the first one. I don't
know in C++ when to invoke a method by an object (object.method()), and
when to invoke a method without an object (method()). Do you know how
to distinguish them? From the API provided by MSDN or elsewhere?
Short determination algo:
if( f is a class member && f is not 'static' )
{
// An non-static member function, call it on an object.
// Well, except for constructors.
obj.f();
pObj->f();
}
else
{
// A freestanding function, no object.
if( f is a class member )
{
// A static member function, marked as 'static'.
ClassName::f();
namespaceName::ClassName::f();
}
else
{
// A namespace scope function.
f();
namespaceName::f();
}
}
--
A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is it such a bad thing?
A: Top-posting.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on usenet and in e-mail?
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