operator*

Hello!
I have a general question. When i define an iterator what do the operator * have to return. For example: If i want to implement a string iterator like this...

Code:

---

template<class C>
class StringIt : public iterator<...>
{

};

---

What does the iterator-class have to return when i invoke the operator *. Must it be the element of the container ( in this example a reference of a char ) or something else? What do i have to use for the second template parameter for the inherited class iterator?

thanks

You can return anything you like. Its often helpful to return the actual dereference of the iterator's pointee, something like

Code:

---

template <class MyStringObjectType>
class Iterator
{
public:
    // ... whatever else goes here
    MyStringObjectType& operator*() const
    {
          // ... maybe you want to do something here
          return *pointee_;
    }
private:
    MyStringObjectType* pointee_;
};

---

In this case use the class for your iterator's template parameter. I hope this helps you...