Re: virtual operator +
Hunk wrote:
I ws wondering if there is a way to implement operator+ in case of
virtual classes.
Here's the problem. I have to have a base string class from which two
classes (normal char string and a hash string class ) are derived. The
two derived classes are template classes specifying the sizes. The
base class is a non-template class so that it can be used generically
in the interface classes. the design would look like
class Base_string {
};
template<size>
class Char_string : Base_string {
};
template<size>
class Hash_string: Base_string{
};
So that in the interface class of the application he can use just the
generic Base_string to access the functions and doesnt have to know
whether its a Char or hash string
The issue is in implementing the operator+ . Since all the methods are
virtual in the base class and it should call the desired methods
polymorphically, operator+ is a challenge as it returns a Base_string
object
So if I have something like
Char_string<24> char_string1("Hello");
Char_string<24> char_string2("world");
Char_string<24> char_result;
Base_string* base_a = &char_string1;
Base_string* base_b = &char_string2;
Base_string* base_r = &char_result;
i wouldnt be able to do
*base_r = *base_a + *base_b; as the operator+ would return a
Base_object?
Any soultions to the above issue is most welcome
Don't think much of overriding the operator+. Let it live in the base
class, and let it return the Base_string. Overload the _assignment_
operator in each of the derived classes:
template<size>
class Char_string : Base_string {
Char_string& operator=(Base_string const&) {
// do what's needed
return *this;
}
};
template<size>
class Hash_string: Base_string {
Hash_string& operator=(Base_string const&) {
// do what's needed
return *this;
}
};
That way you can assign the result of the operator+ to the correct
object. And the proper operator= function will be called. Do in it
what you have to.
V
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