Re: smart array ptr that reliquishes ownership

From:
Victor Bazarov <v.bazarov@comcast.invalid>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.c++
Date:
Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:20:02 -0400
Message-ID:
<j5a0dj$v8c$1@dont-email.me>
On 9/20/2011 3:52 AM, Nick Keighley wrote:

On Sep 19, 6:23 pm, Victor Bazarov<v.baza...@comcast.invalid> wrote:

On 9/19/2011 11:37 AM, Nick Keighley wrote:

On Sep 19, 3:36 pm, Victor Bazarov<v.baza...@comcast.invalid> wrote:

On 9/19/2011 10:31 AM, Nick Keighley wrote:

I'm looking for something that allows me transfer ownership away from
a smart array ptr. I basically want the semantics that auto_ptr
provided.

      auto_ptr<T> myT (new T);
      do_stuff_with_myT;
      anotherT = myT.get();
      myT.release();

I'd like a smart pointer that did the same but used new[] and delete[]
internally.


note well. auto_ptr is *not* what I want.

boost::shared_array doesn't seem to be what I want as it deletes the
original array when release is called.


I think that smart pointers should transfer the ownership only if you
assign them instead of doing '.get()' followed by '.release()'...

Basically something like this:

       auto_ptr<T> myT(new T):
       ...
       anotherT = myT;

and nothing else.


I should have been clearer. I want anotherT to be an ordinary dumb
pointer (I known not a good thing to use, but it's an existign code-
base and I can't rewrite all at once).

upDatePtr (T* uP)
{
        auto_ptr<T> myT(new T):
        some_stuff_that_might_go_wrong;
        uP = myT.get();
        myT.release();
}


Let's agree on posting real code.


fair point...

If you meant

    void upDatePtr(T* uP)
    {

(and then as written), then changing the value of 'uP' seems gratuitous
because the value is lost (memory leak) when the function returns.

Perhaps you meant

     void updatePtr(T*& uP)

which means the value is retained beyond the body of the function.

In that case you need to make use of 'release's return value:

      void updatePtr(T*& uP)
      {
         auto_ptr<T> myT(new T);
         ..
         uP = myT.release();
      }

Note that 'std::auto_ptr::release' does *not* delete the pointer.


but boost::shared_array does...

Ok. This is nearer the spirit of the real code (and compiles and runs
to boot)

struct T
{
     int data [127];
};

struct Params
{
     T* arrayOfT;
};

bool mayGoWrong ()
{
     return true;
}

void allocate (Params* paramsArg)
{
     T* temp = new T[10];
     if (mayGoWrong ())
         return; // leaks!

     if (paramsArg->arrayOfT != 0)
        delete[] paramsArg->arrayOfT;

     paramsArg->arrayOfT = temp;
}

int main ()
{
     Params params;
    params.arrayOfT = 0;

This is all _C_. Why don't you switch to C++?

     allocate (&params);
     return 0;
}

Yes there's lots wrong with this but it's not going to get re-written
right now.


Too bad. If it's not now, when?

the simple fix is to bung in a
     delete[] temp;
but I was hoping there was some well-known smart pointer that could
handle this.


Yes, it's called std::vector.

I can almost hear you sighing and mumbling something about the need to
use some kind of [outdated] third-party library with a C interface.
Well, there is a clean way - repackage your data *just before calling*
those functions and *never* maintain naked pointers in your own C++ code.

You _without a doubt in my mind_ need to rethink your implementation to
make it closer to what a C++ program ought to be, not keep piling on
patches of "smart" pointers onto a badly designed one. Bite the bullet,
do it today, or it's going to be too late.

V
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