Making own array class

[sargelikesapples]

I need to make a class called myArray that can start from any index, including negative numbers. Basicly solving the array index out of bounds problem, and i was wondering if i can get ideas on how to even start this. I can do the basic stuff like printing the array out and overloading but i'm not sure on how to start making the class functional.

[Catfish4]

Do you know how to write a basic class? If not:
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/classes/
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/classes2/

Do you know how to write a template (in this case a class template)? If not:
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/templates/

Here's a crude start, applying the above:

template <typename ElementType>
class MyArray
{
private:

    ElementType *p;
    unsigned int size;

public:

    // overloaded operator[]
    ElementType & operator [] (int i)
    {
        // ADD BOUNDS CHECKS!
        return p[i];
    }

    // overloaded operator[], for const operations
    const ElementType & operator [] (int i) const
    {
        // ADD BOUNDS CHECKS!
        return p[i];
    }
};

Of course, there's a huge amount of work that remains to be done before the above becomes a usable class.

[sargelikesapples]

Thank you so much this is a huge help!!!

[sargelikesapples]

so if I'm understanding correctly the code you posted saves a number to the array index? is that correct? if so that was my biggest problem to solve and you've made this much less stressful

[Catfish4]

so if I'm understanding correctly the code you posted saves a number to the array index?

No. The code I posted above is an unfinished class template. It is not usable yet.

The weird looking functions defined inside are the overloaded operator[].
This must be done in order for the below to compile:

MyArray<int> mi; // note that we specify ElementType as int

// ...

mi[0] = 98; // this would not work without overloading operator[]