Topic: string size() v. length()


Author: Valentin Bonnard <bonnardv@pratique.fr>
Date: 1998/02/19
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Pete Forman wrote:
>
> CD2 lib.string.capacity defines size() and length() to be synonymous.
> What are the reasons for allowing both, and which is to be preferred.
>
> The arguments for either that I have found are
>
> size: STL containers have size() but no length().
>
> length: On some platforms I use Rogue Wave's RWCString.  This has
> length() but no size().

Good question. I even think it should be a FAQ.

Simple: string is at the same time a containner and obey
the RandomAccessibleContainner requirement (in SGI STL speak)
and a traditionnal string

size() belongs to the containner interface and lenght () to
the tradionnal string interface (that is, Plauger's old
non-template string class).

--

Valentin Bonnard                mailto:bonnardv@pratique.fr
info about C++/a propos du C++: http://www.pratique.fr/~bonnardv/


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Author: Pete Forman <gsez020@compo.bedford.waii.com>
Date: 1998/02/16
Raw View
CD2 lib.string.capacity defines size() and length() to be synonymous.
What are the reasons for allowing both, and which is to be preferred.


The arguments for either that I have found are

size: STL containers have size() but no length().

length: On some platforms I use Rogue Wave's RWCString.  This has
length() but no size().
--
Pete Forman
Western Geophysical
pete.forman@bedford.waii.com


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