kanze posted:

> (Imagine for a moment the effect on existing code of removing the
> array-to-pointer conversion and giving arrays full value semantics.)


Extremely easy, and without breaking any code.


Decay an array to a pointer to its first element in FOUR places, and make
it remain as an array EVERYWHERE else.


1) When an implicit conversion is wanted:

    Example A:

        char array[67];

        char * p = array;

    Example B:

        void Func( char * ); /* Declaration */

        char array[67];

        Func( array );


2) When the dereference operator is applied:

    Example A:

        char array[67];

        char c = *array;


3) For arithmetic, equality, greater than/less than:

    Example A:

        char array[67];

        char *p = array + 56;


    Example B:

        char array[67]; /* Global object */

        bool DetermineIfAhead( const char* const p)
        {
            return p > array;
        }

    Example C:

        char array[67];
        char monkey[43];

        bool the_same_address = array == monkey;

        bool monkey_ahead = monkey > array;


4) When block brackets are applied:

    Example A:

        char array[67];

        char c = array[6];

        /* Which should be translated to:

            char c = *(array + 6);
        */



Now my original code should print:

SomeFunc1: Array
SomeFunc2: Array
SomeFunc3: Array

The sooner this goes into the Standard, the sooner C++ improves.


-Tom   s

---
[ comp.std.c++ is moderated.  To submit articles, try just posting with ]
[ your news-reader.  If that fails, use mailto:std-c++@ncar.ucar.edu    ]
[              --- Please see the FAQ before posting. ---               ]
[ FAQ: http://www.comeaucomputing.com/csc/faq.html                      ]

Tom   s wrote:
> kanze posted:
>
> > (Imagine for a moment the effect on existing code of removing the
> > array-to-pointer conversion and giving arrays full value semantics.)
>
>
> Extremely easy, and without breaking any code.
>
>
> Decay an array to a pointer to its first element in FOUR places, and make
> it remain as an array EVERYWHERE else.
>
>
> 1) When an implicit conversion is wanted:

That covers every one of the cases you gave us, which involve the
implicit conversions that occur as the result of a function call, so
such a change wouldn't affect the problem you're complaining about.


---
[ comp.std.c++ is moderated.  To submit articles, try just posting with ]
[ your news-reader.  If that fails, use mailto:std-c++@ncar.ucar.edu    ]
[              --- Please see the FAQ before posting. ---               ]
[ FAQ: http://www.comeaucomputing.com/csc/faq.html                      ]