How to use the NoPtr library

This page lists links to use cases and idioms. If you have a "task" to do, find it in the list below, and see how to do it. See this link for converting your code to use the NoPtr classes and functions.

Use cases

This section discusses the use of each of the four classes in the NoPtr library, first from a high-level (i.e. class) point of view, then a detailed (i.e. function) one, and thirdly for use with STL containers.

• Class use
  • DynObj: Wrap a DAO with strict ownership
  • DynTmp: Return a DAO from a function
  • RRef: Automate verification of DAO on access
  • RRefable: allow automatic variable to be RRef'd
• Functional use
  • Construct a DynObj from a variety of sources
  • Construct an RRef from a variety of sources
  • Change the DAO represented by a DynObj
  • Change the object represented by an RRef
  • Reset a DynObj or RRef to a default state
  • Make DynObj release a DAO from management
  • Swap two DynObjs or two RRefs
  • Give access to DAO inside DynObj and RRef
  • Assert before access DAO
  • Allow you to get pointer to object in RRef or DynObj
  • Test nullness of DynObj and RRef
  • Provide usual comparison operators for objects
  • Support polymorphism
  • Hide your implementation
  • Minimal namespace pollution
  • Constness of proxy vs of object contained
  • Receive const obj
  • Compare two proxies
  • Transfer DAO
• Use of DynObj in value-based containers
  • Use DynObj in value-based container
  • Insert a DAO into an STL container
  • Get notice if shallow-copy of container
  • Use optimizations
  • Container of RRefs

Idiomatic examples

Look at the files in the subdirectory tests/idioms for various simple implementations of common idioms and patterns often found in the context of pointers, but using the DynObj, DynTmp, RRef and RRefable classes. They are included here for your convenience:

• Use of STL's std::list
• Use callback idiom
• Simple factory pattern
• FIFO Factory pattern
• Another FIFO Factory pattern

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