Chapter 14: Problem 43

Assume a class named collection exists. Write the header for a member function that overloads the [] operator for that class.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The [] operator can be overloaded by defining two member functions in the "collection" class with the following headers: ```cpp int& operator[](int index); const int& operator[](int index) const; ``` The first header allows for read and write access to the elements, while the second one is provided for access to const objects.

Step by step solution

1. Determine the syntax of the header for the overloaded [] operator

For the given class named "collection", we want to define a member function to overload the [] operator. The general syntax for overloading an operator in C++ is: ```cpp return_type operatorSymbol (argument_list); ``` For our specific case, the operator to overload is the [] operator. We'll use the following syntax: ```cpp return_type operator[](argument_type); ```

2. Choose the return type for the overloaded [] operator function

The return type of the overloaded [] operator should be a reference to the data type of the elements that the "collection" class is handling. It should allow for both reading and writing access to the elements. For this example, let's assume the collection class manages elements of 'int' data type. Therefore, the return type for the function would be 'int&'.

3. Determine the argument type for the overloaded [] operator function

The overloaded [] operator function should take an index as an argument, which is essentially an integer value. Therefore, the argument type for the function would be 'int'.

4. Write the header for the overloaded [] operator function

Considering all the above, the header for the member function that overloads the [] operator for the given "collection" class would look like: ```cpp int& operator[](int index); ```

5. Add the const version of the function if required

In case the class also needs to handle access to const objects, a const version of the overloaded [] operator function should also be provided. The const version has a const return type and is marked as const itself, making it available for use with const objects. The header for the const version would look like: ```cpp const int& operator[](int index) const; ``` #Final Solution# Here are both versions of the overloaded [] operator function header for the given "collection" class: ```cpp int& operator[](int index); const int& operator[](int index) const; ```

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Assume a class named collection exists. Write the header for a member function that overloads the [] operator for that class.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

1. Determine the syntax of the header for the overloaded [] operator

2. Choose the return type for the overloaded [] operator function

3. Determine the argument type for the overloaded [] operator function

4. Write the header for the overloaded [] operator function

5. Add the const version of the function if required

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