autoptrs in parameters

[xwb]

I came across this definition yesterday

  // 6.15
   void
      attributesInScope
      (ObjectInstanceHandle const & theObject,
      [COLOR=red]std::auto_ptr< AttributeHandleSet > theAttributes[/color])
      throw (RTI::ObjectInstanceNotKnown,
         RTI::AttributeNotRecognized,
         RTI::AttributeNotSubscribed,
         RTI::FederateInternalError);

I've never seen an auto_ptr as a parameter before. I started wondering: what exactly does this mean? Does it mean that the called routine can use the contents but should not take a copy of the pointer.

 

[uolj]

It means ownership of the object is passed to function, so when the function is completed the memory is destroyed.

The calling function should not be using that AttributeHandleSet after calling the function.

 

[xwb]

Thanks for the explanation - I found an MS example in the help on Visual Studio which used the auto_ptr in a similar way but there was no explanation in MS help.