How to Store Heterogeneous Objects in C : Boost.any or Custom Structures?

Storing Heterogeneous Objects in C

In C , storing objects of different types within a single container can be a challenge. However, there are several approaches to address this issue:

1. Leverage Boost.any

Consider using the Boost library, specifically the boost::any class. Boost.any provides a safe and efficient method for storing objects of any type. You can create a vector or list of boost::any objects and populate it with various data types.

2. Create a Custom Structure or Union

Alternatively, you can create your own structure or union to hold objects of different types. Define a structure or union with members representing each potential data type. Use an enumeration or indicator to specify the active type for each object. However, exercise caution when using unions as they impose restrictions and can lead to undefined behavior if used incorrectly.

Example Code

<code class="cpp">// Using a custom structure
struct MyContainer {
    int i;
    string s;
    double d;
    enum {INT, STRING, DOUBLE} type;
};

// Using boost::any
#include <boost/any.hpp>
vector<boost::any> myContainer;
myContainer.push_back(10);
myContainer.push_back("hello");
myContainer.push_back(3.14);</code>

Additional Considerations

While these methods provide solutions for storing heterogeneous objects, it's important to question the purpose of such a design. Consider if there are alternative data structures or design patterns that could address the problem more effectively.

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