override array index operator

Question

I want to override array index operator in my class. Here's what i am trying to do,but not succeeding.

class Complex{              
    Complex const& operator[](unsigned int) const; // Read-only access
    Complex& operator[](unsigned int);             // Read/Write access:
};

const Complex& Complex::operator [](unsigned int unsignedInt) const {
    const Complex* temp = this+i;
    return *temp;
}
Complex& Complex::operator [](unsigned int unsignedInt) {
    Complex* temp = this+i;
    return *temp;
}

EDIT : I want to do something like :

Complex **c = new Complex[5];    //Create 2D array
c[2] = new Complex();            //Initialize
cout<<*c[2];                     //print by overloading <<

instead of Complex Complex::const& operator[], Complex const Complex::operator[] — spin_eight
– spin_eight, Commented Feb 12, 2013 at 10:37
Also, in Complex& Complex::operator[], you cannot return a pointer as a reference. Return the actual object instead. — slugonamission
– slugonamission, Commented Feb 12, 2013 at 10:38
Ouch : const Complex* temp = this+i; In short, non-multisyllabic words, don't do this. — WhozCraig
– WhozCraig, Commented Feb 12, 2013 at 10:38

Konrad Rudolph · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-12 10:38:16Z

3

Your function definition syntax is wrong:

Complex Complex::const& operator[](unsigned int i) const{

The return type is supposed to be annotated by const&, and the explicit name qualification Complex:: belongs to the function name, operator[]:

Complex const& Complex::operator[](unsigned int i) const {

Furthermore, the implementation seems to be wrong:

const Complex* temp = this+i;
return *temp;

This doesn’t make a lot of sense. You probably mean something along these lines:

Complex temp = *this + i;
return temp;

Assuming an appropriate operator+ overload. Although it’s hard to say which semantics you really want here since there’s no intuitive indexed access for a Complex anyway.

answered Feb 12, 2013 at 10:38

Konrad Rudolph

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1 Comment

user2036677 Over a year ago

I would like to create an array of pointers i.e. 2D array of Complex class by declaring my own new, delete and [] operaors.

MetallicPriest · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-12 10:41:10Z

2

Instead of

Complex Complex::const& operator[](unsigned int i) const

It should be

const Complex& Complex::operator[](unsigned int i) const

answered Feb 12, 2013 at 10:41

MetallicPriest

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