I need to store a struct like a reference type. Now I use pointer for this, is it the best D way? This pointer is private and access to it is safe, but it's just unusual for me to see pointers in D code.

On 11/27/2015 12:38 AM, drug wrote:
> I need to store a struct like a reference type. Now I use pointer for
> this, is it the best D way? This pointer is private and access to it is
> safe, but it's just unusual for me to see pointers in D code.

Agreed but that's the only way.

Ali

I use this http://dpaste.dzfl.pl/b926ff181709 to simulate reference types.

On Friday, 27 November 2015 at 08:38:29 UTC, drug wrote:
> I need to store a struct like a reference type. Now I use pointer for this, is it the best D way? This pointer is private and access to it is safe, but it's just unusual for me to see pointers in D code.

if you own the resource, consider std.typecons.unique or std.typecons.refcounted
otherwise consider std.typecons.nullableref

On Friday, 27 November 2015 at 08:38:29 UTC, drug wrote:
> I need to store a struct like a reference type. Now I use pointer for this, is it the best D way? This pointer is private and access to it is safe, but it's just unusual for me to see pointers in D code.

One thing: take care when comparing pointer to struct, it'll only compare the memory address and never call a custom opEquals for example... You have to explicitly compare the dereferenced stuff.

On 27.11.2015 11:38, drug wrote:
> I need to store a struct like a reference type. Now I use pointer for
> this, is it the best D way? This pointer is private and access to it is
> safe, but it's just unusual for me to see pointers in D code.

Thank to all for answer. I stay with pointers in my case.

On Fri, Nov 27, 2015 at 11:38:28AM +0300, drug via Digitalmars-d-learn wrote:
> I need to store a struct like a reference type. Now I use pointer for this, is it the best D way? This pointer is private and access to it is safe, but it's just unusual for me to see pointers in D code.

There's nothing strange about pointers in D code. They're relatively rare thanks to the various nice abstractions D offers, but you do still see them from time to time (e.g., in expressions like `x in aa`).


T

-- 
He who laughs last thinks slowest.