Re: object-model: Return by value, reference or pointer? (or something else?)

>>>>> "Hyrum K. Wright" <hyrum_wright_at_mail.utexas.edu>:

> 2) Return everything by pointer
> Pros: can represent the NULL value, potentially less memory overhead
> Cons: more complex memory management (caller must delete returned value)

Um... why must the caller delete the returned value? I thought you were
using refcounting smartpointers?

Generally 1 gives a nicer API. But if you have any inheritance and
virtual methods going, then 2 is simplest.
Received on 2010-10-13 18:52:15 CEST