C++ : get inherited type from abstract pointer vector -

C++ : get inherited type from abstract pointer vector -

so have vector holds pointers of component abstract class , , let's have 2 inherited classes component , foo , bar , there way pointer type "foo" vector?

vector<component*> components; class foo : component; class bar : component; components.push_back(new foo()); components.push_back(new bar());

thanks.

yep:

component* c = components[0]; if (foo* f = dynamic_cast<foo*>(c)) { // utilize f } else { // c not foo. maybe it's bar, or else }

so if want write function find foo*, (assuming c++11):

foo* find_foo(const std::vector<component*>& components) { (auto c : components) { if (foo* f = dynamic_cast<foo*>(c)) { homecoming f; } } homecoming nullptr; }

the cast, dynamic_cast<foo*> either homecoming valid foo* or nullptr, will not throw. standard §5.2.7.9:

the value of failed cast pointer type null pointer value of required result type.

c++ pointers inheritance vector