Objects in Array loops, need help

[Sivyo]

Alright, this is the thing... I have to create an Array for a number of objects in a setting with polymorphism. Each object in the array needs to do the same thing... so I figure I can just create a loop for each item in an array. Now, the method is called the same thing because of Polymorphism/inheritance Although the method is placed somewhere else for each object... so I have 10 classes. the Base class is called: Animals From Animals come: Marine, Reptiles, walkers From there we have 6 different types of animals deriving from those.

#include "Gazelles.h"
#include "Goldfish.h"
#include "Sharks.h"
#include "Snakes.h"

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main(int argc,char* argv[])
{

Animals *ourAnimals[6]; //the array

Animals *goldfish = new Goldfish();
Animals *crocodile = new Crocodiles();
Animals *elephant = new Elephants();
Animals *gazelles = new Gazelles();
Animals *shark = new Sharks();
Animals *snakes = new Snakes();

ourAnimals[0]=goldfish;
ourAnimals[1]=crocodile;
ourAnimals[2]=elephant;
ourAnimals[3]=gazelles;
ourAnimals[4]=shark;
ourAnimals[5]=snakes;

for(i=0;i<6;i++)
{
ourAnimals[i] // ->to method I want it to go converse();
}

return 0;
}

each animal has converse, I am a bit of a noob with this obviously, so how do I get each object in the array to do what I want it to do?

[David Crow]

Sivyo wrote:

how do I get each object in the array to do what I want it to do?

How about something like:

Animal *ourAnimals[3];

ourAnimals[0] = new Goldfish();
ourAnimals[1] = new Crocodile();
ourAnimals[2] = new Elephant();

for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
ourAnimals[i]->converse(); // Animal::converse() is virtual

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[Nuri Ismail]

You should read about Virtual Functions & Polymorphism[^]. :) The converse() method must be virtual in your base class and you need appropriate implementation for this method in the derived classes. :)

Nuri Ismail

[Cedric Moonen]

Not sure I really understood your question: you want all specific Animal do something specific in the converse method ? If that is the case, that is really simple: simply declare the function in the base class (Animal) as a virtual function and override it for each specific animal. Each specific animal can then do something specific.

Cédric Moonen Software developer
Charting control [v2.0] OpenGL game tutorial in C++

[Sivyo]

yea, I did that right after I posted this... I should of figured, the complier didn't reconize the method from ctrl space so I thought it didn't work... but it did... problem solved... Thanks for your ansswer, I am sure I will have more stupid questions soon

[CPallini]

Sivyo wrote:

I am a bit of a noob with this obviously, so how do I get each object in the array to do what I want it to do?

Reading again the polymorphism chapter on your favourite C++ book may help, I guess. :)

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