Adding derived objects into an array of (abstract) base pointers

Question

I ran into a problem when adding derived objects into an array of (abstract) base pointers. To simplify what I'm trying to do, here is an example:

Base** baseArray = new Base*[3];
baseArray[0] = new derived1(param,param);
baseArray[1] = new derived2(param,param);
baseArray[2] = new derived3(param,param);

Now, I have yet to get my virtual Print() working to print out the baseArray elements but using the vs2012 debugger I can only see baseArray[0] in baseArray. The other two are just gone.

But I guess my main question is that, should the example above work. If yes, would it be too much to ask of what could have happened. If not, is there a (better) way?

Edit: Thank you all!

Reasonable question. Have +1'd and closed as dupe only to tidy-up. — Lightness Races in Orbit, Apr 11 '15 at 23:42

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:28

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Your code is correct. Given a dynamically allocated array, Visual Studio debugger will only display the first element. This answer might help.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:28

Community

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answered Apr 11 '15 at 07:19

Marco Guerri

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Thanks, I think you are right. I should asked sooner. :) – cppStud Apr 11 '15 at 08:39

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 11 '15 at 07:19

2

Yes, it works just fine. The debugger is lying to you - probably because the static type of baseArray is pointer to pointer, not pointer to array of 3 elements.

answered Apr 11 '15 at 07:19

Alan Stokes

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Adding derived objects into an array of (abstract) base pointers

2 Answers2