Type casting a custom c++ class

Question

If I have my own SString class in c++ and I want to be able to do this:

SString x("text"); LPCSTR p = (LPCSTR)x; cout<<p;

How do I do it?

side note: better use static_cast<LPCTSTR>(x); always prefer c++ style casts over c style casts; they're easier to spot, and they're more restricted in what they can do, so there's less chance of errors creeping in by casting! — codeling
– codeling, Commented Sep 18, 2012 at 9:46
You could overload std::ostream operator<<(std::ostream&, const SString&) instead — Open AI - Opting Out
– Open AI - Opting Out, Commented Sep 18, 2012 at 9:46
thank you, but I am also very interested in the casting part. — AlexandruC
– AlexandruC, Commented Sep 18, 2012 at 11:13

ForEveR · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-18 09:44:58Z

Create conversion operator to LPCSTR in your class SString. If you can use C++11 this operator should be explicit.

operator LPCSTR() const { /*return data*/ };

Also you can create some function like (i think this variant is better, than conversion operator)

LPCSTR asLPCSTR() const { /*return data*/ };

Luchian Grigore · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-18 09:46:39Z

In addition to what ForEveR said, note that you can also overload

ostream& operator << (ostream& str, const SString& ss);

and call

cout<<x;

directly.

2 Answers 2