Function pointer to clear up create functions

[wizard4]

Hey. I've set up a really basic project and I'm looking at the code thinking how to organise this stuff for a bigger project. Even IRefCounted from memory serves one purpose and is very small(?)

So I have never used a function pointer, but why not create a custom helper function that takes a irr::create function parameter (that needs drop) and call drop from within the custom helper function?

Like...

Code: Select all

(return this) callfunc(my_pointer_func, object_to_assign)
{
    do this to object();
    drop();
    return (whatever);
}

???

[wizard4]

Code: Select all

#include <iostream> // messages are in main
#include "irrlicht.h"

using namespace irr;

struct A // a. for irrlicht stuff
{
    IrrlichtDevice * device;
    video::IVideoDriver * driver;
    scene::ISceneManager * smgr;
} a; // only one please

struct B // b. for game stuff
{
    enum class ESTATE { INIT=0, MENU, GAME, PAUSE };
    ESTATE es;
} b; // again only one


int main()
{
    b.es = b.ESTATE::INIT;    // also B::ESTATE so can be confusing 
    
    a.device = createDevice (...) // now I must remember to us 'a.'!
    a.driver = getVideoDriver();
    a.smgr = getSceneManager();
    
    // Put camera in
    // Put cube in
    
    while(a.device->run() && ...active())
    {
        a.driver->beginScene(...);
        a.smgr->drawAll();
        a.driver->endScene();
        // still must remember to use 'a.'!
    }
    
    a.device->drop();
    return 0;
}

So I've had to separate into structs (me and Noie wanted the procedural / C style C++ which is completely okay to do). The data is still held somewhere, be that in an instance or struct, so I don't see problems there.

I started adding header files and things to separate enemies and irr maps but so far it's an interesting procedure to act like the Irrlicht source code (only this is a game made in Irr and not and engine by itself).

Maybe only use new headers when needed. Not sure yet.

[CuteAlien]

As long as you don't call drop() before you are done using the pointer you can do whatever you want.

Single character names are bad, I hope that was just as example :-) So if it's game stuff call it GameStuff not b.

In general - one class one Header. Sometimes it's a bit annoying and people are lazy and put more than one class declaration in a header if they belong strongly together.

[wizard4]

Cool. The function, aptly named "callAndHandleCreate()" or something that tells the programmer to only to use the "create" Irr functions sounds kinda alrighty. I mean push the boundaries a bit by allowing modifications to the game. This is NOT a game engine, but companies have released the source code and people use company code. Just think of a big game someone can download the source and make their own mods!