How to Pass a std::string variable into a function

Question

I have a C++ method that takes one variable the method signature is like this:

DLL returnObject** getObject( const std::string folder = "" );

I tried passing in:

const std::string myString = "something";

but I get the following error:

No matching function call to ... getObject( std::string&);

I have a couple questions here.

How do I pass in a normal std::string without the &
This looks like the value is optional folder = "" is it? And if so how do you pass an optional parameter?

Can you please show us exactly how you tried to call the getObject function with the parameter? I'm betting your issue is there. — Tyler McHenry
– Tyler McHenry, Commented Sep 29, 2010 at 0:30
Hi i tried this const std::string folder = ""; className->getObject( folder ); — Anthony McCormick
– Anthony McCormick, Commented Sep 29, 2010 at 0:34
-1 "DLL returnObject**"? Doesn't look like normal (iPhone) C++ to me... — tc.
– tc., Commented Sep 29, 2010 at 0:43
This cannot be the right code. For one, I somewhat doubt anyone who doesn't know to pass strings by reference would bother about adding const (although it is possible). What's more, your error message is referring to a function taking the string by non-const reference - which is a completely different one. So post the real code. — sbi
– sbi, Commented Sep 29, 2010 at 8:26

Michael Burr · Accepted Answer · 2010-09-29 00:40:41Z

5

This little example works as expected:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string>

class foo {
public:
    void getObject( const std::string folder = "" );
};

int main ()
{
    const std::string myString = "something";

    foo* pFoo = new foo;

    pFoo->getObject( myString);
    pFoo->getObject();    // call using default parameter

    return 0;
}


void foo::getObject( const std::string folder)
{
    printf( "folder is: \"%s\"\n", folder.c_str());
}

You might want to post a similarly small example that shows your problem.

answered Sep 29, 2010 at 0:40

Michael Burr

342k52 gold badges553 silver badges774 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Anthony McCormick Over a year ago

Thanks i was being stupid the method actually had multiple variables and i was just assuming that it was the std::string that was the cause of the issue.

dreamlax Over a year ago

Oh man, the last time I used C-style IO in a C++ answer I got snapped at (or was it a question... I can't remember). +1 anyway.

Alexander Rafferty · Accepted Answer · 2010-09-29 00:43:33Z

1

This compiled fine for me, compare it to what you're doing:

#include <string>

void myFunc(const std::string _str)
{
}

int main()
{
    const std::string str = "hello world";
    myFunc(str);
    return 0;
}

answered Sep 29, 2010 at 0:43

Alexander Rafferty

6,2536 gold badges36 silver badges58 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to Pass a std::string variable into a function

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related