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Construction Unions: A C++ Challenge

By Herb Sutter
Feb 4, 2005
Sample Chapter is provided courtesy of Addison-Wesley Professional

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Herb Sutter

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Bjarne Stroustrup and Herb Sutter on the Future of C++: Part 2: Video Podcast Transcript: Apr 6, 2009
C++ Coding Standards: Throw by Value, Catch by Reference: May 20, 2005
C++ Coding Standards: Take Parameters Appropriately by Value, (Smart) Pointer, or Reference: May 6, 2005
C++ Coding Standards: Report, Handle, and Translate Errors Appropriately: Apr 29, 2005
Exceptional C++ Style: Index Tables: Apr 15, 2005
C++ Coding Standards: Compile Cleanly at High Warning Levels: Mar 25, 2005
C++ Tip #83: Use a Checked STL Implementation: Mar 18, 2005
Construction Unions: A C++ Challenge: Feb 4, 2005
Designing and Writing Generic Facilities: A C++ Challenge: Jan 28, 2005
Generic Programming and the C++ Standard Library: Feb 1, 2002

C++ Coding Standards: 101 Rules, Guidelines, and Best Practices: Oct 25, 2004
Exceptional C++ Style: 40 New Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions: Aug 2, 2004
More Exceptional C++: 40 New Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions: Dec 17, 2001
Exceptional C++: 47 Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions: Nov 18, 1999

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This chapter is from the book
Exceptional C++ Style: 40 New Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions

In this C++ Challenge, Herb Sutter throws down the gauntlet. Can you get around the C++ rule of using constructed objects as members of unions? Find out the answer in this sample chapter.

No, this Item isn't about organizing carpenters and bricklayers. Rather, it's about deciding between what's cool and what's uncool, good motivations gone astray, and the consequences of subversive activities carried on under the covers. It's about getting around the C++ rule of using constructed objects as members of unions.

JG Questions

What are unions, and what purpose do they serve?
What kinds of types cannot be used as members of unions? Why do these limitations exist? Explain.

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