Return of a pointer...

[Thomas Junior]

Ok, I'm very confused.

I expected this would return a string, but intead the following function
returns a pointer:

char * CPUInfo::GetVendorID ()
{
// Return the vendor ID.
switch (ChipManufacturer) {
case Intel:
return "Intel Corporation";
case AMD:
return "Advanced Micro Devices";
case NSC:
return "National Semiconductor";
default:
return "Unknown Manufacturer";
}
}

I want the calling function to have access to that string. Without changing
the above function, how could I access that string using the pointer
returned? Everything I've tried hasn't worked.

Thanks!



--

Tom Junior
(e-mail address removed)

Automated Design Corporation
P: (630) 783-1150 F: (630) 783-1159

 

[Ron Natalie]

I want the calling function to have access to that string. Without changing
the above function, how could I access that string using the pointer
returned? Everything I've tried hasn't worked.

WHat do you mean it hasn't worked. All those strings inside the switch
are statically allocated. It should work, i.e.,

cout << CPUInfo::GetVendorID();

should work fine.

char* is a pointer NOT A STRING. If you want to return a string, write the function:

#incldue <string>
using std::string;

string CPUInfo::GetVendorID() {
// ... rest o the function requires no changes.

 

[Thomas Junior]

Stupid, stupid, stupid...

Thanks. Works great, and I feel like an idiot.

 

[Default User]

Ok, I'm very confused.

I expected this would return a string, but intead the following function
returns a pointer:

char * CPUInfo::GetVendorID ()

Let's see, you defined a function that returns a pointer to char, then
are offended because it returns a pointer? I'm perplexed.

I want the calling function to have access to that string. Without changing
the above function, how could I access that string using the pointer
returned? Everything I've tried hasn't worked.

What do you mean "have access"? What things have you tried? Post a
complete, minimal program that demonstrates the problem.

It should be noted that C-style strings are tricky for the new
programmer. You'd be better off with the C++ string class. Your text
should discuss it, if not get a new text.



Brian Rodenborn

 

[Jon Bell]

I expected this would return a string, but intead the following function
returns a pointer:

Of course it returns a pointer. You defined it that way! char *
is a pointer to char.

char * CPUInfo::GetVendorID ()
{
// Return the vendor ID.
switch (ChipManufacturer) {
case Intel:
return "Intel Corporation";
case AMD:
return "Advanced Micro Devices";
case NSC:
return "National Semiconductor";
default:
return "Unknown Manufacturer";
}
}

I want the calling function to have access to that string. Without changing
the above function, how could I access that string using the pointer
returned? Everything I've tried hasn't worked.

If you want to return a strong, declare the function to return a string.
C++ has a standard string data type. Use it, unless you have a really
good reason to avoid it. It will make your life simpler than if you
continue to muck around with char pointers.

#include <string>

std::string CPUInfo::GetVendorID ()
{
switch (ChipManufacturer) {
case Intel:
return "Intel Corporation":
// etc.
}