various forms of getline()

Question

I read that this form of getline:

getline(char *buf, streamsize num)

But I recently came across this getline function:

getline(cin,x);

where x is a string.

How is this ?

[Function overloading](http://www.codersource.net/c/c-tutorials/c-tutorial-function-overloading.aspx)? — Uwe Keim, Jun 30 '11 at 09:38

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 30 '11 at 09:39

0

The first one is a member function of std::istream. And the second one is a free standalone function. You've overloaded functions for both.

answered Jun 30 '11 at 09:39

Nawaz

what do you mean by a stand alone function ? – program-o-steve Jun 30 '11 at 09:41
@steve: that it is not a member function of any class. – Nawaz Jun 30 '11 at 09:42
It has to be a function of some class...Am i wrong in my statement ? – program-o-steve Jun 30 '11 at 09:44
1

@steve: Why? Is `printf` a function of some class? In C++, you can define free functions as well, just line one can do in C. – Nawaz Jun 30 '11 at 09:44

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 30 '11 at 09:39

0

The former is a member function of basic_istream.

The later is a free function.

answered Jun 30 '11 at 09:39

Didier Trosset

1

@steve: A free function is a function that is not a member-function. If you do not know that, you should read a [book](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list). – Björn Pollex Jun 30 '11 at 09:43

2 Answers2