Achieving Interface functionality in C++

Question

A big reason why I use OOP is to create code that is easily reusable. For that purpose Java style interfaces are perfect. However, when dealing with C++ I really can't achieve any sort of functionality like interfaces... at least not with ease.

I know about pure virtual base classes, but what really ticks me off is that they force me into really awkward code with pointers. E.g. map<int, Node*> nodes; (where Node is the virtual base class).

This is sometimes ok, but sometimes pointers to base classes are just not a possible solution. E.g. if you want to return an object packaged as an interface you would have to return a base-class-casted pointer to the object.. but that object is on the stack and won't be there after the pointer is returned. Of course you could start using the heap extensively to avoid this but that's adding so much more work than there should be (avoiding memory leaks).

Is there any way to achieve interface-like functionality in C++ without have to awkwardly deal with pointers and the heap?? (Honestly for all that trouble and awkardness id rather just stick with C.)

Answer 1

Considering C++ doesn't require generic parameter constraints like C#, then if you can get away with it you can use boost::concept_check. Of course, this only works in limited situations, but if you can use it as your solution then you'll certainly have faster code with smaller objects (less vtable overhead).

Dynamic dispatch that uses vtables (for example, pure virtual bases) will make your objects grow in size as they implement more interfaces. Managed languages do not suffer from this problem (this is a .NET link, but Java is similar).

Answer 2

Template MetaProgramming is a pretty cool thing. The basic idea? "Compile time polymorphism and implicit interfaces", Effective C++. Basically you can get the interfaces you want via templated classes. A VERY simple example:

template <class T>
bool foo( const T& _object )
{
    if ( _object != _someStupidObject && _object > 0 )
        return true;
    return false;
}

So in the above code what can we say about the object T? Well it must be compatible with '_someStupidObject' OR it must be convertible to a type which is compatible. It must be comparable with an integral value, or again convertible to a type which is. So we have now defined an interface for the class T. The book "Effective C++" offers a much better and more detailed explanation. Hopefully the above code gives you some idea of the "interface" capability of templates. Also have a look at pretty much any of the boost libraries they are almost all chalk full of templatization.

Answer 3

I think the answer to your question is no - there is no easier way. If you want pure interfaces (well, as pure as you can get in C++), you're going to have to put up with all the heap management (or try using a garbage collector. There are other questions on that topic, but my opinion on the subject is that if you want a garbage collector, use a language designed with one. Like Java).

One big way to ease your heap management pain somewhat is auto pointers. Boost has a nice automatic pointer that does a lot of heap management work for you. The std::auto_ptr works, but it's quite quirky in my opinion.

You might also evaluate whether you really need those pure interfaces or not. Sometimes you do, but sometimes (like some of the code I work with), the pure interfaces are only ever instantiated by one class, and thus just become extra work, with no benefit to the end product.

Answer 4

You can use boost::shared_ptr<T> to avoid the raw pointers. As a side note, the reason why you don't see a pointer in the Java syntax has nothing to do with how C++ implements interfaces vs. how Java implements interfaces, but rather it is the result of the fact that all objects in Java are implicit pointers (the * is hidden).

Answer 5

While auto_ptr has some weird rules of use that you must know*, it exists to make this kind of thing work easily.

auto_ptr<Base> getMeAThing() {
    return new Derived();
}


void something() {
    auto_ptr<Base> myThing = getMeAThing();
    myThing->foo();  // Calls Derived::foo, if virtual
    // The Derived object will be deleted on exit to this function.
}

*Never put auto_ptrs in containers, for one. Understand what they do on assignment is another.

Answer 6

This is actually one of the cases in which C++ shines. The fact that C++ provides templates and functions that are not bound to a class makes reuse much easier than in pure object oriented languages. The reality though is that you will have to adjust they manner in which you write your code in order to make use of these benefits. People that come from pure OO languages often have difficulty with this, but in C++ an objects interface includes not member functions. In fact it is considered to be good practice in C++ to use non-member functions to implement an objects interface whenever possible. Once you get the hang of using template nonmember functions to implement interfaces, well it is a somewhat life changing experience. \