Return reference to array of structs

Question

I have defined a Struct:

struct sym{
  int data_onel;
  int data_two;
}

and I have function:

sym*& fillStruct(){
   sym array_of_struct[size];
   /.. fill array with data
   return *array_of_struct;   
}

Where I create an array of struct and fill structs with data. However I would like to return this arr in another function. e.g

bool another(){
   sym *next_array = fillStruct();
}

I want it to pass by reference so it won't get destroyed, but it keep throwing:

invalid initialization of reference of type 'Symbols*&' from expression of type 'Symbols'

How can I return array of structs from function then? with reference.

You are returning a reference to a pointer which points to something that has gone out of scope. You need to re-think your approach. — juanchopanza
– juanchopanza, Commented Mar 20, 2016 at 9:34

H. Guijt · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-20 09:42:13Z

3

Your fundamental problem is that you are trying to return a local array, which will never work no matter how you spin it. A better approach would be to use a vector; a vector can also be declared locally, but unlike your array, it can be returned.

vector<sym> fillStruct(){
   vector<sym> array_of_struct;
   /.. fill array with data
   return array_of_struct;   
} 

bool another(){
   vector<sym> next_array = fillStruct();
}

edited Mar 20, 2016 at 9:42

answered Mar 20, 2016 at 9:36

H. Guijt

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