Let me get this straight, you can''t return an array from a function, correct? You could return a single element from an array, but not the entire array, right? The only way to access an array from a function is by pointers or references is what I''m thinking.

that''s correct.

To the vast majority of mankind, nothing is more agreeable than to escape the need for mental exertion... To most people, nothing is more troublesome than the effort of thinking.

In C++ you can return a vector:

template < typename T >std::vector< T > Pack( T & data1, T & data2 ){  std::vector< T > v;  v.push_back( data1 );  v.push_back( data2 );  return v;} 

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Thanks to Kylotan for the idea!

Sure you can return an array from a function. An array is just a pointer to memory (address), so your function must return a pointer to a memory location.







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If I'm incorrect, sue me, you'll get nothing

[edited by - aNonamuss on April 12, 2002 12:55:18 AM]

quote: Original post by aNonamuss
Sure you can return an array from a function. An array is just a pointer to memory (address), so your function must return a pointer to a memory location.

Sure, the problem comes when you do something like this:




You get the idea...


Death of one is a tragedy, death of a million is just a statistic.

Actually just the permission to WRITE to that memory was removed, you can still read its contents just fine.

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"When I have a problem on an Nvidia, I assume that it is my fault. With anyone else''s drivers, I assume it is their fault" - John Carmack

quote: Original post by aNonamuss
Sure you can return an array from a function.

No you can''t.

quote:
An array is just a pointer to memory (address)

No it''s not.

quote:
so your function must return a pointer to a memory location.

You can do that, but a pointer isn''t an array.

"Let me get this straight, you can''t return an array from a function, correct? You could return a single element from an array, but not the entire array, right? The only way to access an array from a function is by pointers or references is what I''m thinking.''

Guys, I already acknowledged that you could use pointers to change an array. I guess what you are all telling me is that I could return the entire array with pointers. That''s cool. Well, why does this work then.

Here is something interesting that I experimented with. A function could change an array without pointers.




CONSOLE OUTPUT:

1


Hi

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Notice that I actually changed the first 2 elements of c[] with the i[] array that is local to the function test. I thought that local variable do not change values in main unless if you use pointers. Strange.

You''re not passing an array out of a function there, you''re passing one in.

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from Mr. Obvious:

"You''re not passing an array out of a function there, you''re passing one in."


I know that. But why is the function changing the array in main? It should only change the array in the function, not the array in main. I thought that''s how local variable worked.