Returning object from function
- by brainydexter
I am really confused now on how and which method to use to return object from a function. I want some feedback on the solutions for the given requirements.
Scenario A:
The returned object is to be stored in a variable which need not be modified during its lifetime. Thus,
const Foo SomeClass::GetFoo() {
return Foo();
}
invoked as:
someMethod() {
const Foo& l_Foo = someClassPInstance->GetFoo();
//...
}
Scneraio B:
The returned object is to be stored in a variable which will be modified during its lifetime. Thus,
void SomeClass::GetFoo(Foo& a_Foo_ref) {
a_Foo_ref = Foo();
}
invoked as:
someMethod() {
Foo l_Foo;
someClassPInstance-GetFoo(l_Foo);
//...
}
I have one question here: Lets say that Foo cannot have a default constructor. Then how would you deal with that in this situation, since we cant write this anymore:
Foo l_Foo
Scenario C:
Foo SomeClass::GetFoo() {
return Foo();
}
invoked as:
someMethod() {
Foo l_Foo = someClassPInstance->GetFoo();
//...
}
I think this is not the recommended approach since it would incur constructing extra temporaries.
What do you think ? Also, do you recommend a better way to handle this instead ?
