Re: assign to std::string from int causes NO ERROR

[Phil Edwards <phil@jaj.com>]

On Wed, Jun 11, 2003 at 05:31:58PM -0300, amaschio@reckon.com.br wrote:
>   //string z=2;  // OK: does NOT compile

Note that although you write '=' here, you are still constructing a new
string object.  There is no basic_string constructor which takes an integer,
so it does not compile.

>   x[key] = 2;    // BUG???: compiles OK

Here, you are assigning 2 to an existing string object.  There is an
overloaded assignment operator:

    basic_string&  operator= (char c);

This member function is the one being used.  The number 2 is being converted
to a char; the actual character is whatever 2 is in the ASCII chart.

As an experiment, try assigning "x[key] = 65;" instead.  Then retrieve that
string and print it via *c*haracter *out*put:

    std::cout << x[key] << std::endl;

You will see a capital 'A' printed.


Phil

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