std::multimap

[Lena]

Hi.
I would like to have a container multimap would store the key multiple values, such as:
key=String
int value1
int value2

Code: Select all

std::multimap<String, std::vector<int> > IniContent;
//***
String FullName = item->Data[L"FullName"].AsString();
std::vector<int> &values = IniContent[FullName]; //error here
//***


[bccaarm Error] UnitDibocca.cpp(59): type 'std::multimap<String, std::vector<int> >' does not provide a subscript operator
How correct?
C++ Builder Berlin.

[Lena]

And an additional question
If I do not need automatic sorting (in multimap), which container should I use?

Code: Select all

std::vector<std::pair<String, std::pair<int,int>> > MyPair;
//***
String FullName = item->Data[L"FullName"].AsString();
std::vector<std::pair<int,int>> &values = MyPair[FullName];//error
//***


[bccaarm Error] UnitDibocca.cpp(64): no viable overloaded operator[] for type 'std::vector<std::pair<String, std::pair<int, int> > >'

[rlebeau]

[bccaarm Error] UnitDibocca.cpp(59): type 'std::multimap<String, std::vector<int> >' does not provide a subscript operator

The error is correct. std::multimap does not have a subscript operator.

How correct?

You should be using std::map instead:

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std::map<String, std::vector<int>> IniContent;


std::multimap allows multiple entries to have the same key value, which is why a subscript operator is not provided (you have to use std::multimap::equal_range() to find all entries that match a given key value). That is not what you want. std::map holds entries with unique keys, and thus provides a subscript operator to access entries by key value.

Also, on a side note, since you are using a C++11 compiler, you should consider using 'auto' to help clean up your variable declarations when the compiler can deduce their types for you:

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std::map<String, std::vector<int>> IniContent;
...
auto &values = IniContent[FullName]; // <-- here


If I do not need automatic sorting (in multimap), which container should I use?

Have a look at std::unordered_map:

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std::unordered_map<String, std::vector<int>> IniContent;


Code: Select all

std::vector<std::pair<String, std::pair<int,int>> > MyPair;
//***
String FullName = item->Data[L"FullName"].AsString();
std::vector<std::pair<int,int>> &values = MyPair[FullName];//error
//***


[bccaarm Error] UnitDibocca.cpp(64): no viable overloaded operator[] for type 'std::vector<std::pair<String, std::pair<int, int> > >'

Correct, because the subscript operator of std::vector takes an array index, not a key value. If you want to use a vector of pairs, you will have to use the std::find_if() algorithm to find a given pair by its key value:

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using MyPair = std::pair<String, std::vector<int>>;
std::vector<MyPair> IniContent;
...
String FullName = item->Data[L"FullName"].AsString();
auto iter = std::find_if(IniContent.begin(), IniContent.end(),
                         [=](const MyPair &pair){ return (pair.first == FullName); });
if (iter == IniContent.end())
{
    IniContent.emplace_back(FullName, std::vector<int>());
    iter = IniContent.end() - 1;
}
auto &values = iter->second;
// use values as needed...


[Lena]

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation!

For example I need a container allows multiple entries to have the same key value and not need automatic sorting.
Is the simplest way use std::find_if() ?
and definition

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using MyPair = std::pair<String, std::vector<int>>;
std::vector<MyPair> IniContent;
//***

[rlebeau]

For example I need a container allows multiple entries to have the same key value and not need automatic sorting.

Why, though? You are keying off of a person's name. Are you expecting multiple users to have the same name? When searching for a name, how do you expect to differentiate between different people of the same name? If you just search for the name by itself, you will always find one and only one person, but you won't know if it is the right person, especially in an unordered container where ANY user may be the first one found.

What are you REALLY trying to accomplish?

[Lena]

What are you REALLY trying to accomplish?

This menu is for a restaurant. For example, two identical names for a salad. In one of the salads there is salt, but not in the other. Salad names can be the same.

[rlebeau]

This menu is for a restaurant. For example, two identical names for a salad. In one of the salads there is salt, but not in the other. Salad names can be the same.

Doesn't it make more sense to name them differently instead? For instance, "Salad - Salted" and "Salad - Unsalted", or "Salad w/ Salt" and "Salad w/o Salt". If you give them the exact same name, and you key off of the names, you are just making things harder for yourself. Personally, I would not identify items by name to begin with. It makes more sense to track the items by unique ID numbers instead, then you can give multiple items different IDs but the same name for display purposes.

[Lena]

You are absolutely right. According to your recommendations, I convinced the owner of the restaurant that all dishes should have a different name. Thank you for your recommendations. Your recommendations convinced the owner of the restaurant!
Your support is the best! Thank You for this forum!