Advanced class features and C++ standard libraries, some questions about example

Question

Im having trouble to understand some advanced feature of c++. Im trying to code my own signals/slots system,found exaple and run into some questions:

Signal() : current_id_(0) {} - is it some sort of derived class ? what does 0 means here ?
int connect_member(T *inst, void (T::*func)(Args...)) { - what does "T::" do here ?

mutable std::map<int, std::function<void(Args...)>> slots_; - whats happenning when "slots_" called ?

in this example.

#ifndef SIGNAL_HPP
#define SIGNAL_HPP

#include <functional>
#include <map>

// A signal object may call multiple slots with the
// same signature. You can connect functions to the signal
// which will be called when the emit() method on the
// signal object is invoked. Any argument passed to emit()
// will be passed to the given functions.

template <typename... Args>
class Signal {

 public:

  Signal() : current_id_(0) {}

  // copy creates new signal
  Signal(Signal const& other) : current_id_(0) {}

  // connects a member function to this Signal
  template <typename T>
  int connect_member(T *inst, void (T::*func)(Args...)) {
    return connect([=](Args... args) { 
      (inst->*func)(args...); 
    });
  }

  // connects a const member function to this Signal
  template <typename T>
  int connect_member(T *inst, void (T::*func)(Args...) const) {
    return connect([=](Args... args) {
      (inst->*func)(args...); 
    });
  }

  // connects a std::function to the signal. The returned
  // value can be used to disconnect the function again
  int connect(std::function<void(Args...)> const& slot) const {
    slots_.insert(std::make_pair(++current_id_, slot));
    return current_id_;
  }

  // disconnects a previously connected function
  void disconnect(int id) const {
    slots_.erase(id);
  }

  // disconnects all previously connected functions
  void disconnect_all() const {
    slots_.clear();
  }

  // calls all connected functions
  void emit(Args... p) {
    for(auto it : slots_) {
      it.second(p...);
    }
  }

  // assignment creates new Signal
  Signal& operator=(Signal const& other) {
    disconnect_all();
  }

 private:
  mutable std::map<int, std::function<void(Args...)>> slots_;
  mutable int current_id_;
};

#endif /* SIGNAL_HPP */

How it's called so i can look for myself. Did i found overcomplicated example ?

Thanks.

You "small" questions about syntax are the subject of rich sections in C++ books. Pick a [good one](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list) and learn. — StoryTeller - Unslander Monica, Jul 03 '17 at 10:15
Too many questions per question, please limit the amount to one. — n. m. could be an AI, Jul 03 '17 at 10:15
Despite answering the question, I also agree with the above and the close votes. You're asking about several pieces of intermediate-level syntax. It's good stuff to learn, but should have been a) searched for (duplicates probably exist); and then b) asked in separate questions. — Chowlett, Jul 03 '17 at 11:08

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 03 '17 at 10:12

Taking your questions in order:

Signal() : current_id_(0) {}

That's a initialiser list in Signal's constructor. It tells the compiler that current_id_ should be initialized to 0 when the Signal object is constructed using that c'tor.

int connect_member(T *inst, void (T::*func)(Args...)) {

T:: is a scope-resolution, and T::* specifically refers to a member function. The function call connect_member expects to receive a pointer-to-T, followed by a pointer-to-member-function-of-T (which takes unspecified arguments and returns nothing)

mutable std::map<int, std::function<void(Args...)>> slots_;

slots_ is a data member of Signal, of type map from integer to function-returning-void. The mutable keyword tells the compiler it's ok for slots_ to be changed even if the owning Signal is const (for instance, inside a member function declared const).

Advanced class features and C++ standard libraries, some questions about example

1 Answers1