Is it possible in C++ to access a variable based on its name (introspection)

Question

I was wondering if this is possible to do in C++. I have a function that takes user input for x and y bounds and I need to verify it, and it would be easier to do with one function. Is this possible in C++? Here's some pseudocode.

void bounds(char i){
  // if i is 'x' 
  std::cin >> [i]Lower    // store to xLower
  // verify
}
// then do
bounds('x');
bounds('y');

@dustytrash I'm trying to set cin to input to xLower if the function has input character 'x' and input to yLower if it is input 'y'. — Ryan Knutson, Sep 25 '18 at 19:45
You can make a map of names to member pointers or to setter functions (depending on the case). — François Andrieux, Sep 25 '18 at 19:45
@FrançoisAndrieux but then he'd have to exhaustively list all cases. Some language offer introspection where you can just find your own members' name and access them this way — Jeffrey, Sep 25 '18 at 19:46
The normal way to do this is to use std::map - have a look at https://onlinegdb.com/B1zDaH_FX — Jerry Jeremiah, Sep 26 '18 at 00:06

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 25 '18 at 19:44

1

No, C++ code cannot do anything which depends on the variables name. e.g. If your variable is named x or y, it won't affect the code's behaviour.

answered Sep 25 '18 at 19:44

Jeffrey

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Python, to some level, with dir(obj), getattr() and setattr() – Jeffrey Sep 25 '18 at 19:52

Is it possible in C++ to access a variable based on its name (introspection)

1 Answers1