DESCRIPTION
This smart pointer package provides 2 main classes for use
1. CountedPtr – Is a reference counted smart pointer that can be used with any type
– Allows direct assignment to base class smart pointer by a derived class
– Supports static and dynamic casts where they are supported by the underlying types
– Uses the copy constructor to clone the pointed to object
– Calls the right delete when done with object
2. BackPtr – Is a class for backward references, when the pointer is not owned
– Can be assigned a CountedPtr
– Can check if the underlying object is still valid
– Can get a CountedPtr from a BackPtr if the underlying object is valid, otherwise
an exception will be thrown. This prevents the problem of dangling pointers
ENVIRONMENT
This code was developed with VC 6, SP3
However, I tried not to use anything specific to VC and hopefully
it will compile using other compilers as well.
This code uses member templates a lot. This might cause problems
for some compilers that do not support them.
USE
CountedPtr and BackPtr are templates. Use them like other template classes
You cannot assign a regular pointer directly to a CountedPtr (and that includes
a newly created one with new) to assign use Make_CP as in
CountedPtrtptr = Make_CP(new T);
You can assign a CountedPtr to a BackPtr. To get a CountedPtr from a BackPtr
use the GetCountedPtr member function. Notice, if the pointer is no longer valid,
it will throw an exception. You might want to us IsValid to check the validity first.
LIMITATIONS
1. Not thread safe. This package is not thread safe, nor does it pretend to be.
I do not have that much experience with the intricacies of multi-threaded programming,
and thus leave it to others who would like to, to make it thread safe
2. Has not been tested with multiple inheritance (esp virtual base classes). However, since MI is not used
with great frequency, I did not think it too much of a problem.
SAMPLE CODE
Please see PtrTest.cpp (download below)
CONCLUSION
I hope you enjoy using this package. I learned some neat techniques writing it.
If you have any questions or comments, ask on them on the message board, and I
will try to answer them.
LICENSING
// ***********************************
// Copyright 1999 John R. Bandela
// This work may be freely used, copied, distributed, and extended, provided
// the copyright notice above and this statement are maintained at the top of the code
Please, I am requesting (not requiring), that if derivative works are made of this work, that
they be posted freely to a board such as this, so that all may benefit.