iterator / returning reference to local temporary

[Alexander Stippler]

Hi,

I've got a question concerning iterators and STL. Why does the compiler
warn, that function dummy in the following example returns a reference
to a local temporary? In my understanding, it is not temporary. It's an
entry in a hash_map and therefore not temporary. Where am I wrong? How do I
get the desired functionality?
And by the way: Does anybody know a real in-depth reference and programming
guide for understanding and above all extending the STL by own data types?

#include <hash_map>
#include <pair.h>
#include <iostream>

std::hash_map<int,int> hash;

const std::pair<int,int> &
dummy(int key) {
return *(hash.find(key));
}

int
main()
{
hash[8] = 9;
dummy(8);
return 0;
}
regards,
Alex

[Rob Williscroft]

Alexander Stippler wrote in news:3f******@news.uni-ulm.de:

Hi,

I've got a question concerning iterators and STL. Why does the
compiler warn, that function dummy in the following example returns a
reference to a local temporary? In my understanding, it is not
temporary. It's an entry in a hash_map and therefore not temporary.
Where am I wrong? How do I get the desired functionality?
And by the way: Does anybody know a real in-depth reference and
programming guide for understanding and above all extending the STL by
own data types?

#include <hash_map>
#include <pair.h>
#include <iostream>

std::hash_map<int,int> hash;

const std::pair<int,int> &
dummy(int key) {
return *(hash.find(key));
}

int
main()
{
hash[8] = 9;
dummy(8);
return 0;
}

You may find that std::hash_map<> (which is non-standard BTW)
actually stores a std::pair<int const, int>. If it were otherwise
you could rewrite the key without the map knowing about it.

Try using:

std::hash_map<int,int>::value_type &

as your return type.

HTH

Rob.
--
http://www.victim-prime.dsl.pipex.com/

[Alexander Stippler]

You may find that std::hash_map<> (which is non-standard BTW)
actually stores a std::pair<int const, int>. If it were otherwise
you could rewrite the key without the map knowing about it.

Try using:

std::hash_map<int,int>::value_type &

as your return type.

HTH

Rob.

Thanks, but your solution is non-standard BTW, too. ;-))
Should be
typename std::hash_map<int,int>::value_type &
^^^^^^^^

regards,
Alex