Re: Wrapping a std::list with boost.python

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-11-03 17:15:40

"jefflholle" <jeff.holle_at_[hidden]> writes:

> I've just started experimenting with version 2 of boost.python.
> 
> In iterator.cpp, a std::list is wrapped using following code:
> 
>    typedef std::list<int> list_int;
>    void push_back(list_int& x, int y)
>    {
>       x.push_back(y);
>    }
> 
>    int back(list_int& x)
>    {
>       return x.back();
>    }
>    .
>    .
>    .
>     class_<list_int>("list_int")
>         .def("push_back", push_back)
>         .def("back", back)
>         .def("__iter__", iterator<list_int>())
>         ;
> 
> Is it possible to use the container methods instead of user defined 
> functions?  

Sure. But not for the standard containers, because you can't portably
take the address of a standard library (member) function. The
implementation is allowed to add overloads and default arguments, so
there's no way to reliably identify the function you're looking for.

> I've tried the code:
>    class_<list_int>("list_int")
>         .def("push_back", &list_int::push_back)
>         .def("back", &list_int::back)
>         .def("__iter__", iterator<list_int>())
>         ;
> This doesn't work.
> 
> Am what I'm tried to do possible?

Yes.

> If so, how?

Write your own container, with predictable function signatures ;-)

-- 
                    David Abrahams
dave_at_[hidden] * http://www.boost-consulting.com