Hi all, I'm doing some bit-stuffing code at the moment, and I figured I could use std::vector<bool> to do that, since it's specialised (apparently). I know this is valid: std::vector<int> foo; // Stuff things into foo int* pData = &foo[0]; Since vector storage is contiguous. However, CodeWarrior spazzes out when I do this: std::vector<bool> foo; // Stuff a multiple of 8 bits into foo void* pData = &foo[0]; The error I get is:

Quote:illegal explicit conversion from 'std::__bit_iterator<Metrowerks::__bitvec_deleter<std::allocator<bool>>, false>' to 'void *'

I presume that's because CodeWarrior isn't using a vector at all. Is what I'm trying to do valid (I.e. is it a compiler error), or are you not allowed to do this with a vector of bools? For the moment, I'm having to convert the vector into a void* manually, which isn't particularly efficient. Is there some std::copy I could use to do this which would be as efficient as direct pointer access? Cheers, Steve

There are sometimes when standard namespaces templates just dont do it. I did something like this for a huffman encoding yet using unsigned char*(wrapped inside a class), using malloc instead of new (due to speed, ie remalloc instead of delete[] and then new again).

Quote:Original post by rip-off
The bool values in std::vectors<bool> are implemented using single bits. You cannot get a reference or pointer to a bit, so you get an error.

This is the downside to the apparent "optimisation" that is std:vector<bool>/

Ah well, that's what I thought. I'll just it my way then.

Thanks for the reply

What You Should Know about vector<bool> - it ain't pretty

Quote:Original post by Will F
What You Should Know about vector<bool> - it ain't pretty

I'm beginning to think that this was a bad idea [smile]
I'll re-write this later maybe.