dev-cpp-users

[Dev-C++] Useless?

[Jason B. <red...@ya...>]

What is the use of pointers, linked lists,
polymorphism,and operator overloading?  

If useful, how are they useful and where do I find
good tutorials on these subjects?

Re: [Dev-C++] Useless?

[Per W. <pw...@ia...>]

Pointers, linked lists and polymorphism allows you to dynamically allocate
and create data structures while the program is running - for example
to handle end-user commands.

Operator overloading is mainly to allow cleaner code, thereby keeping down
the maintenance costs.

Where to find info how to use the concepts? Google of course...

/Per W

On Sat, 17 Dec 2005, Jason Benjamin wrote:

> What is the use of pointers, linked lists,
> polymorphism,and operator overloading?
>
> If useful, how are they useful and where do I find
> good tutorials on these subjects?
>
>
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Re: [Dev-C++] Useless?

[lordSauron <lor...@gm...>]

On 12/17/05, Jason Benjamin <red...@ya...> wrote:
> What is the use of pointers, linked lists,
> polymorphism,and operator overloading?

Well, these things are all indespensible.  You don't have to use them
at every possible chance, but they can make life much easier.

First, the thing I do know a bit about, is pointers.  Coming from
Java, this is a really cool thing.  In Java, unless you're using a
global variable, you have to return a object/variable if you want to
keep any changes made to it during a function's execution.  There
isn't a easy way to keep the changes made to multiple variables,
except by using arrays.  Mixed object/variable types?  Things can get
very complex very quickly.  Enter pointers.  By using a pointer you
can directly use a variable.  This can be dangerous, but it can also
be very powerful.

I don't know anything about linked lists yet, so I can't speak for that.

Polymorphism is very powerful.  Look at virtual functions and you'll
quickly find it's realy strength.  Operator overloading is
indespensible.  Consider the "=3D" operator.  it's actually overloaded
to work with multiple data types.


All these things have purposes.  While you and I might not understand
all of them, they are there for a reason.

Re: [Dev-C++] Useless?

[S. M. H. <Mit...@an...>]

lordSauron wrote:
> On 12/17/05, Jason Benjamin <red...@ya...> wrote:
> 
>>What is the use of pointers, linked lists,
>>polymorphism,and operator overloading?
> 
[....]

> I don't know anything about linked lists yet, so I can't speak for that.

I think of linked lists as "homogeneous array elements not contiguous in 
memory" (homogeneity of the array elements is not strictly required, but is 
typical).  I believe they are generally useful at runtime, in which 
structures are dynamically allocated and de-allocated when necessary, and 
it is considered less efficient to allocate large memory blocks at 
initialization in anticipation of your memory needs.  Singly linked lists 
would be useful if there is a continual need to enumerate data in each 
"record" (that is the structure containing its fields);  doubly linked 
lists would useful in case a lot of record/data searching is done and the 
list data has been ordered/sorted with each addition of a link.  There are 
various strategies for the efficient use of linked lists.  One allocate 
linked lists of arrays as a means of joining the end of one array to the 
start of a newly allocated memory block of that same array type.