Pointer for item in iteration over std::list

Question

I'm working on a very basic game and I have a std::list collection of objects that pertain to my game. I declared it as:

std::list<Target> targets;

When I iterate over it, using

for (std::list<Target>::iterator iter = targets.begin(); iter != targets.end(); iter++) {
     Target t = *iter;
                t.move();
}

My objects aren't updating on the GUI. However, replacing the iterating loop with a targets.front().move(), my one object moves correctly. I think this is because I am not iterating over the collection using pointers. Can anyone explain how that is done? Thanks.

Answer 1

You are copying the objects, do it this way:

*iter.move()

If you use Target t = *iter; you are essentially making a copy of your object and moving it, instead of moving your intended object.

As xtofl said(thx) you can get the reference as well.

Target &t = *iter;
t.move();