Question

So what I want to do is extend the existing vector class in my program to allow me to say this,

vector<string>* vec = new vector<string>(){"Value1","Value2"};

or

vector<string>* vec = new vector<string>({"Value1","Value2"});

or

vector<string> vec = {"Value1","Value2"};

I know I can accomplish something like this but doing this,

string temp[] = {"Value1","Value2"};
vector<string> vec(temp, temp+ sizeof(temp) /  sizeof( temp[0] ) ); 

This uses the vectors iterator constructor but can’t I remove the extra line?

I know in C# you can add whatever you want to existing things by using the partial key word like this,

public partial class ClassName
{
   ClassName(Stuff stuff)
   {

   }
   void AmazingNewMethod()
   {

   }    
}

Does C++ have a nifty trick like this somewhere?

Do I have to inherit vector and build a customVector that has a constructor that behind the scenes does the iterator constructor thing?

Maybe wrap those lines in a static Helper Function call that sets it by Reference and add it to a toolbox class somewhere?

I feel like lots of programmers have hit this problem. Are there any elegant solutions out there?

Thanks.

Edit: fixed the title to mention this is an Initializer List constructor.

Answer 1

In C++11 there would be initializer lists to suite this approach. As you’re mentioning .NET I now assume that you’re using MS Visual Studio. Microsoft does NOT implement initializer lists, therefore the easiest way to accomplish something like that would be a function that returns the vector with all the elements added.

On the partial thing: C++ does not offer a feature in the same vein as .NET’s partial classes.