Question

This class models people moving in together in real life using pointers in C++.

What test(s) could be added with the code below? At the end of this task, add them! (Answer this.)

class Person {  
public:       
    Person(const string& name) : name(name) {}
    void movesInWith(Person& newRoomate) {
        roomie = &newRoomate;        // now I have a new roomie            
        newRoomate.roomie = this;    // and now they do too       
    }       
    const string& getName() const { return name; }
    // Don't need to use getName() below, just there for you to use in debugging.
    const string& getRoomiesName() const { return roomie->getName(); }  
private:
    Person* roomie;       
    string name;  
};           

// write code to model two people in this world       
Person joeBob("Joe Bob"), billyJane("Billy Jane");         

// now model these two becoming roommates       
joeBob.movesInWith(billyJane);         

// did this work out? (Answer this and explain why.)      
cout << joeBob.getName() << " lives with " << joeBob.getRoomiesName() << endl;
cout << billyJane.getName() << " lives with " << billyJane.getRoomiesName() << endl;

What changes can be made to the Person class above to keep the methods "safe"? For example, the movesInWith method.

I dont understand what this above question means, please help!

Answer 1

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;


class Person {  
        public:       
                Person(const string& name) : name(name) {
                        
                }
                void movesInWith(Person& newRoomate) {
                        
                        // If the passed person is not me..
                        // Because i can not be roomie of myself.
                        if(&newRoomate != this) {
                                roomie = &newRoomate;        // now I have a new roomie            
                                newRoomate.roomie = this;    // and now they do too       
                        }
                }       
                
                const string& getName() const { return name; }
                
                // Don't need to use getName() below, just there for you to use in debugging.
                const string& getRoomiesName() const { return roomie->getName(); }  
        private:
                Person* roomie;
                string name;  
};           

int main() {
// write code to model two people in this world       
Person joeBob("Joe Bob"), billyJane("Billy Jane");         

// now model these two becoming roommates       
joeBob.movesInWith(billyJane);         

// did this work out? (Answer this and explain why.)      
cout << joeBob.getName() << " lives with " << joeBob.getRoomiesName() << endl;
cout << billyJane.getName() << " lives with " << billyJane.getRoomiesName() << endl;

}

**************************************************
Added more safety in the case, where the same person is asked to be made roomie of itself.
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