using union of vectors and arrays

[mzimmers]

Hi -

I'm trying to decide whether to create a union for convenience. A class I have contains several instances of an object, some of which are in vectors. It looks something like this:

private:
	vector<Cell>	regI;
	vector<Cell>	regQ;
	vector<Cell>	regPredI;
	vector<Cell>	regPredQ;
	Cell	regShared0, regShared1;

In my code, I'll need to process each Cell in this object. If I don't use a union, I'll need two "for" loops and two individual calls (I think). If I could union them with one array, I could just make one call.

So...is this possible? Is this a good idea? Am I trying to get too fancy?

I'm not doing anything with the vectors other than creating them, and referencing members with the "at" function.

Thanks for any feedback.

[webJose]

If I understood correctly, you have some functions that you apply to the various vectors. You are then thinking "hey, this feels like rework somehow, can I do this in one shot?". My answer is: Unless you have repeated cells in the vectors, I don't think it is repetitive work. I mean, it sure feels like it, but you have them separated for a reason.

In other words: If the contents of one vector is similar to another vector, then you could gain something by calculating the set union of the two before processing. Otherwise keep as is.

[kbw]

I'll need two "for" loops and two individual calls (I think). If I could union them with one array, I could just make one call.

Maybe you should read up on unions.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5dxy4b7b%28v=vs.80%29.aspx
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/other_data_types/