Case Study: Array class

• Arrays in C++
  • No range checking
  • Cannot be compared meaningfully with ==
  • No array assignment (array names const pointers)
  • Cannot input/output entire arrays at once; One element at a time
• Example:Implement an Array class with
  • Range checking
  • Array assignment
  • Arrays that know their size
  • Outputting/inputting entire arrays with $«$ and $»$
  • Array comparisons with == and !=
• Copy constructor
  • Used whenever copy of object needed
    • Passing by value (return value or parameter)
    • Initializing an object with a copy of another; Array newArray( oldArray );
    • newArray copy of oldArray
  • Prototype for class Array
    • Array( const Array & );
    • Must take reference
      • Otherwise, pass by value
      • Tries to make copy by calling copy constructor $\ldots$
      • Infinite loop

The program of Figs. 3.3-3.11 demonstrates class Array and its overloaded operators.

Figure 3.3: Array class definition with overloaded operators.

Figure 3.4: Array class member-and friend-function definitions. (part 1 of 4)

Figure 3.5: Array class member-and friend-function definitions. (part 2 of 4)

Figure 3.6: Array class member-and friend-function definitions. (part 3 of 4)

Figure 3.7: Overloaded stream-insertion and stream extraction operators. (part 4 of 2)

Figure 3.8: Array class test program. (part 1 of 2)

Figure 3.9: Array class test program. (part 2 of 2)

Figure 3.10: Array class test program, output. (part 1 of 2)

Figure 3.11: Array class test program, output. (part 2 of 2)