[Boost-users] unable to use find() function in boost::associative property maps.

Subject: [Boost-users] unable to use find() function in boost::associative property maps.
From: Aniket Pugaonkar (aniket.pugaonkar_at_[hidden])
Date: 2014-02-11 19:29:04

Hi,

The current boost::associative_property_map  interface in
boost::property_map does not provide a *find()* function interface from
where we can find a key type from associative map.

Although the associative property map concept was mainly developed for
using boost::get and boost::put function efficiently on unique associative
containers (such as std::map), it still does not have any interface for
using find() function for searching whether an element exists in a map, My
problem is explained below:

I have a map, and I define a associative property map on it. as follows:

std::map< int, int > *mymap*;
boost::associative_property_map< std::map< int, int > > *my_asso_map* (
mymap );

I have a template function, named " exists_in " which checks whether a
particular key_value, is present in the map  or not. The function is as
follows:

*template* <typename map_t, typename key_t>
bool *exists_in*(map_t map, key_t key)
{
  return map.*find*(key) != map.end();
}

========================================
If I call this template function on mymap, it gives me no error:   if(
!exists_in ( mymap, key ) ---->   no error

Now, if I call template function on my_asso_map, it throws an error :  if(
!exists_in( my_asso_map, key ) ---->> error
error: âclass boost::associative_property_map<std::map<int, int > >â has no
member named âendâ
error: âclass boost::associative_property_map<std::map<int, int > >â has no
member named âfindâ

I understand, my_asso_map just stores the address of mymap and provides get
and put efficiently. But there are instances, where I have to *search* a
key in my map. ( for example, if else loop as provided above ).
I want to hide *mymap *and just expose *my_asso_map* to the user and
everywhere I want to pass my_asso_map.. I am able to do this except for the
*find*()  function, because of which I had to keep passing my original
*mymap *to the function/ functor and then use exists_in template function.

Is there any way to implement a find() utility for associative property
maps ? If find() interface can be added in library, that would be simply
great !

Thanks,

-- 
Thanks and regards,
Aniket Pugaonkar