static std::array with structs containing std::string

Question

I am trying to create a Look-Up Table for easy creation of objects with different values. For this I need a static std::array in my class filled with the data. It currently looks like this:

#include <iostream>

#include <array>
#include <string>

struct MyStruct{
    std::string s;
    int a;
    int b;
};

class Arr{
public:
    static constexpr std::array<MyStruct, 3> strArray{{{"a", 1,2}, {"b", 2,3}, {"c", 3,4}}};
};

constexpr std::array<MyStruct, 3> Arr::strArray;

int main()
{    
    for(auto i : Arr::a){
        std::cout << i << std::endl;
    }

    std::cout << "With a struct:\n";
    for(auto i : Arr::strArray){
        std::cout << i.a << ", " << i.b << std::endl;
    }



    return 0;
}

It works fine, if I remove the std::string, but with the std::string I get the compile error

../staticArray/main.cpp:15:46: error: constexpr variable cannot have non-literal type 'const std::array<MyStruct, 3>'
    static constexpr std::array<MyStruct, 3> strArray{{{"a", 1,2}, {"b", 2,3}, {"c", 3,4}}};
                                             ^
/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/bin/../include/c++/v1/array:137:16: note: 'array<MyStruct, 3>' is not literal because it has data member '__elems_' of non-literal type 'value_type [3]'
    value_type __elems_[_Size > 0 ? _Size : 1];
               ^
../staticArray/main.cpp:19:40: error: constexpr variable cannot have non-literal type 'const std::array<MyStruct, 3>'
constexpr std::array<MyStruct, 3> Arr::strArray;
                                       ^
/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/bin/../include/c++/v1/array:137:16: note: 'array<MyStruct, 3>' is not literal because it has data member '__elems_' of non-literal type 'value_type [3]'
    value_type __elems_[_Size > 0 ? _Size : 1];

The error is indicative of the fact that [non of the string constructors are constexpr](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/string/basic_string/basic_string). And how could they be for a type that does dynamic memory allocation? [Your table cannot be `constexpr` if you want to use `std::string`](http://coliru.stacked-crooked.com/a/13333baa0fe123ad). — StoryTeller - Unslander Monica, May 21 '17 at 12:25
@StoryTeller: Please, do not answer in the comments section. Use the answer section. That's why it's called the answer section. Because .. it's for answers. — Lightness Races in Orbit, May 21 '17 at 12:27
@BoundaryImposition - I'm in the process of scouring for a dup (which I believe exists). Doesn't mean I can't address the error in the OP's thinking. — StoryTeller - Unslander Monica, May 21 '17 at 12:29
@BoundaryImposition Than maybe the original should be improved / given better answers. It's essentially the same. Though this one is more about constructor. Not `size()` method. — luk32, May 21 '17 at 12:32

Sopel · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-21T12:40:35.670

1

In C++17 you can use std::string_view instead of std::string. http://coliru.stacked-crooked.com/a/946c48ee9f87a363

For some reason though you can't use the constructor (in string_view) that just takes const char* (it should be possible, because it is constexpr) so it is required to pass length too.

In C++11 it's possible to do the same, but you have to make the std::string_view alike class yourself

edited May 21 '17 at 12:40

answered May 21 '17 at 12:34

Sopel

1,179
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*"For some reason though you can't use the constructor that just takes const char\* (i should be possible, because it is constexpr)"* - [No it isn't](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/string/basic_string/basic_string) – StoryTeller - Unslander Monica May 21 '17 at 12:37
1

@StoryTeller im talking abot string_view – Sopel May 21 '17 at 12:39
2

You can use std::string_view_literals to declare the literals `{"a"sv, 1, 2}` – Galik May 21 '17 at 12:53

score -1 · Answer 2 · edited May 21 '17 at 12:31

-1

(migrated from comments section)

The error is indicative of the fact that [none] of the string constructors [are] constexpr. And how could they be for a type that does dynamic memory allocation? Your table cannot be constexpr if you want to use std::string. _{(user StoryTeller)}

edited May 21 '17 at 12:31

yuri kilochek

12,709
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answered May 21 '17 at 12:30

Lightness Races in Orbit

378,754
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1,055

static std::array with structs containing std::string

2 Answers2