Re: [boost] A little utility class I'd like to contribute to boost

From: David Abrahams (david.abrahams_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-06-13 19:51:35

----- Original Message -----
From: "Luis Pedro Coelho" <deepblack9_at_[hidden]>

> template <typename T, T init = T()>
> struct auto_init {
>         auto_init():object(init) { }
>         auto_init(const T& other):object(other) { }
>         operator T& () { return object; }
>         operator const T& () const { return object; }
>         T& operator = (const T& other) { object = other; return object; }
>         void reset() { object = init; }
>     private:
>         T object;
> };
>
> Copyright is by me (I do not recall seeing this anywhere) but I place no
> restrictions on the use of the above code.
>
> I have added a little function called reset() to reset the object to its
> initial value because I have found use for it. I originally kept the
object
> public, but have never found a need for it, so I changed it to private.
>
> I think this small class could go into boost/utility.hpp.
>
> What do you think?

I think it's nice, but would prefer to call the template "initialized".
Also, I note that it /only/ works with built-in integer types. What about
pointers and floating types? I think these deserve an "initialized" type as
well.

-Dave