dynamic array c++ without pointer

Question

Is it possible to create a dynamic array in c++ without using a pointer explicitly(int array[] instead of int* array)?

ie. something like this:

int size = 5;
int array[];

array = new int{size};

for (int i = 0; i < size; i++)
{
    array[i];
}

You're probably aware of it, but could you not use std::vector for this purpose? — Blitzkoder
– Blitzkoder, Commented Oct 11, 2012 at 21:01
What are you trying to achieve? You would still have to free it manually, the only difference would be the syntax. Also have look at std::array. — Karel Petranek
– Karel Petranek, Commented Oct 11, 2012 at 21:03
Why do you want to do this? I don't get it. You're also implying that you could maybe somehow use a pointer implicitly? What does that even mean? — David Titarenco
– David Titarenco, Commented Oct 11, 2012 at 21:06

Dietmar Kühl · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-11 21:08:51Z

2

Yes, of course, it is possible:

#include <iostream>
int main()
{
    [](int array[] = new int[10]) {
        std::cout << "array = " << array << "\n";
        delete[] array;
    }();
}

answered Oct 11, 2012 at 21:08

Dietmar Kühl

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2 Comments

Dietmar Kühl Over a year ago

Well, yes - but it is using the required notation! ;)

jakeva Over a year ago

This might do what OP asked, but it's kludgey. Seriously, just use a vector.

jakeva · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-11 21:02:23Z

0

In short, no. The compiler needs to know the size of the array, so to use stack allocated arrays in c++, it must be specified in the declaration. I recommend you look at the STL Vector class instead.

answered Oct 11, 2012 at 21:02

jakeva

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Comments

Chad · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-11 21:07:46Z

0

You can do it using a reference:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
   int& val = *(new int[2]);
   val = 1;
   *(&val + 1) = 2;

   cout << val << ' ' << *(&val+1)  << '\n';

   delete [] (&val);

   return 0;
}

But as you can see, this is not very readable and would be very prone to error. Best bet would be to just use std::vector.

answered Oct 11, 2012 at 21:07

Chad

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Comments

nrofis · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-11 21:10:46Z

0

No, but you can use dynamic types from std library, like std::vector.

The type std::vector acting very similar to array.

Look at this std::vector.

answered Oct 11, 2012 at 21:10

nrofis

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Comments

bames53 · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-11 21:21:06Z

0

int array[]; necessarily has automatic storage duration (in a function or class scope) and cannot have dynamic storage duration.

You can hide the pointer inside a class like std::vector<int>.

You could do something like

int (&array)[5] = reinterpret_cast<int(&)[5]>(*new int[5]);

to delete: delete [] array;

edited Oct 11, 2012 at 21:21

answered Oct 11, 2012 at 21:03

bames53

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2 Comments

Mooing Duck Over a year ago

That's terrifying. Also will leak unless deleted in a similar manner.

bames53 Over a year ago

To delete it you just need the address of the first element, and to get that you can rely on the automatic conversion for arrays.

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