Initializing multiset with custom comparison function in C++

Question

Consider following comparison function:

bool compare(std::shared_ptr<myObject> &lhs, std::shared_ptr<myObject> &rhs){
   return lhs->value < rhs->value;
}

Now idea is to initialize a multiset of type std::shared_ptr<myObject> which orders elements with above function. So from book i read it should be done like this:

std::multiset<std::shared_ptr<myObject>, decltype(compare)*> myset{compare};

QUESTION:

My question is, in the declaration i understand a function pointer is passed to refer to compare function, but why are we initializing the set with {compare}? What is its importance and why is it necessary to do so like this??

Answer 1

Because the set needs a comparison functor to work with. If you don't specify one, it will make a default-constructed one. In this case, since you're using a function-pointer type, the default-constructed one will be a null pointer, which can't be called; so instead, you have to provide the correct function pointer at run time.

A better approach might be to use a function class type (a.k.a. functor type); then the function call can be resolved at compile time, and a default-constructed object will do the right thing:

struct compare {
    bool operator()(std::shared_ptr<myObject> &lhs, 
                    std::shared_ptr<myObject> &rhs) const {
        return lhs->value < rhs->value;
    }
};

std::multiset<std::shared_ptr<myObject>, compare> myset;

Answer 2

In order to access your elements, you need to provide function for strict weak ordering for your type.

std::multiset have the following constructor:

 explicit multiset (const key_compare& comp = key_compare(),
               const allocator_type& alloc = allocator_type());

As you can see, you can do this by passing comp function pointer (or function object) to the constructor.

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Answer 3

decltype(compare)* in the template parameter specifies the type of the comparator. It doesn't tell which function is to be used - whether is it compare, foo, bar or something else. Hence the constructor parameter.

Answer 4

The comparator passed to the template has to be the type of something that can be called with the function call operator. That would be either a class that has overloaded that operator, or the type of a lambda or a function pointer. In the cunstrutor of set, an instance of that type has to be passed. So decltype(compare)* is the function pointer type, and &compare is the function pointer.