How Do I Overload the ->, ->*, ., and .* Operators in C ?

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Overloading Member Access Operators: Unraveling the Mysteries of ->, .*, and .

Operator overloading grants the power to redefine the behavior of predefined operators, extending the functionality of existing types. However, the member access operators ->, .*, and . present unique challenges, leaving developers perplexed. This article aims to shed light on these enigmatic operators, addressing their behavior, parameter handling, and specific considerations.

Overloading -> Operator

Exclusive to non-static member functions, the -> operator lacks arguments. Its return value dictates the member lookup process. A class type return value initiates a subsequent -> operator call, facilitating a "drill-down" behavior until a pointer is obtained.

Overloading ->* Operator

Unlike other member access operators, ->* has no special limitations in its overloaded form. It accepts arbitrary arguments and returns any desired type. Its behavior essentially mirrors non-overloaded binary operators.

Overloading .* and . Operators

These operators cannot be overloaded. Their behavior when applied to class types is predefined. The committee deemed that overloading them could introduce ambiguity.

Const Considerations

Contrary to operators like [], member access operators do not require const and non-const versions.

Conclusion

In summary, the -> operator enables class member access through non-static member functions that return the desired member. The -> operator behaves like a typical binary operator in its overloaded form. . and . remain reserved for non-overloaded functionality when dealing with class types. Understanding these intricacies empowers developers to harness the power of operator overloading to tailor the behavior of their classes to meet their specific requirements.

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