Initialize sparse static array

Question

I need to initialize a static array. Not all of the values are sequential.

Something like this works fine for a sequential array:

class Foo {

  publ         


        

Answer 1

I would suggest you to use std::map<int, std::string> (or unordered_map if you have C++11 support) instead of the array. You can then insert into this map with the code : m[67] = "Sun" and retrieve items using std::string s = m[67];.

Answer 2

Here's one old-school approach:

class NameArray {
  public:
    NameArray()
    {
      array[67] = "Sun";
      array[68] = "Moon";
    }

    const char *operator[](size_t index) const
    {
      assert(index<256);
      return array[index];
    }


  private:
    const char * array[256];
};

class Foo {
  public:
    static NameArray name;
};

NameArray Foo::name;

By wrapping the array in a class, you can make sure it gets constructed with the values that you want. You can also do bounds checking.