How can I make a std::list of arrays?

Question

I would like to make an std::list of arrays. specifically, I want a list of arrays of Borland Code Builders AnsiStrings.

the real kicker being that I would like the arrays to be allocated dynamically. How do I define the list? Im so lost here i dont know were to begin.

std::list<???> myList;

What am I putting inside the angle brackets? nothing i have tried will work.

Answer 1

std::list<std::vector<char>> myList;

std::vector<> is the c++ way to correctly handle dynamic arrays. Rarely should you need to use new T[42] directly to create an array.

std::vector<char> vc;
char ansi_str[] = &vc[0];

ansi_str in the code above is defined by the C++03 standard to be the address of the first element in the array (in C++98 it was allowed to return a proxy).

If you really want to use your AnsiStrings as strings you'd be better off using std::string instead of std::vector<char>. Then you'll get all of C++ nice string features for free and you'll still be able to access the raw data with std::string::data(). The one disadvantage to using std::string is the raw data is not available for modification. If your AnsiStrings api needs to modify the data you'll be stuck with std::vector.

Answer 2

typedef std::vector<char> char_array;
typedef std::list<char_array> char_array_list;

Or more appropriately:

typedef std::list<std::string> string_list;

Answer 3

Why not make std::list of std::strings instead?

But, why do you wish to use ansi strings?? Ansi strings are considered a 'text crime'.

Answer 4

Don't make it a list of arrays, use std::vector. Then it would be std::list<std::vector<AnsiString> >. You can use resize or push_back to add strings to the vector.