address of "this" in c++

[toughwimp11]

In c++, I'm have a node class which can make other nodes and when it does, it sets up that node's parent field (which is of type Node *) to the node that is making it. Now, I'm not sure how to pass the address of the object I'm currently working in. I figured, it'd be &this but that gives me an error. Just 'this' works but when i check it, the value is null (0).

The error I get with &this is error: lvalue required as unary ‘&’ operand

Any suggestions.

 

[Ken g6]

Possibly stupid question (I'm more of a Java guy): You're not trying to do "this" from a static method, are you?

 

[Gamingphreek]

The 'this' keyword is already a pointer (ie: A reference) to the current object. Thus, if you use &this you are requesting the memory address of a memory address.

If 'this' evaluates to 0, at least in my mind, there is something else wrong in your code. Can you provide your code?

 

[dighn]

Possibly stupid question (I'm more of a Java guy): You're not trying to do "this" from a static method, are you?

Accessing "this" from a static method results in a compilation error.

I'm in agreement with Gamingphreek that there is a bug in your code. You are trying to call a method on a NULL pointer.

Also, for a class of type C, "this" is already of type C*, and it is not an actual variable so you cannot obtain its address via &.

 

[degibson]

I agree -- a bug probably exists. Post code, and we'll have a look.

 

[toughwimp11]

opps, nevermind, i was making a very stupid mistake. in the constructor i never actually set the parent field to the Node * parameter that was passed so parent never got assigned. Once I did that, it works as it should.

thank you guys!