Operators

I am trying some funky stuff here...

Code:

---

template<class t>
class b {
public:
  b(){}
  t* operator()(int x)
  {
    return objs[x];
  }
  void Add(t* p)
  {
    objs.push_back(p);
  }
private:
  std::vector<t*> objs;
};

template<class t>
class a {
public:
  a(){}
  b<t>* operator->()
  {
    return &m_b;
  }
private:
  b<t> m_b;
};

...

int main() {
  a<plug> plugs;
  plugs->Add(&plug());
  plugs->Add(&plug_derived());
  plugs->(0)->print(); // ugly compile time error here...
  plugs->operator()(0)->print(); // just fine...
}

---

So, my question is, why do I have to call the operator as a function, instead of as an operator? Can I get around this?

Z.

note that C++ isn't a too funky language, so you can't do everything you want. I lookedup MSVC language reference and didn't find that operator listed :/

The parens operator exists (the code I posted compiles if you remove the line that I commented gets the error). I just want to know why that calling style doesnt work =).

Z.

Because (0) is not a member of the class. You can either call the function "operator ()" of the class or use () directly, but that doesn't work with pointers. This should work:
b<plug>* pB;
(*pB)(0)->print();

but when you use the -> operator to access a pointer to class b I don't know. Maybe this:
(*(plugs->))(0)->print();

Bu you could also overload the dereference operator (* without arguments) in a, then do:
(*plugs)(0)->print();

Too bad I can overload the -> operator to return a b<t>&. Thanks a bunch!

Z.