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c++-cli

correct usage of ^ in managed C++

I'm currently working on a C++ application. I came across this operator: ^

In my case it's not the XOR I guess, because in the given code the usage is like that:

as a variable declaration:

Dictionary<System::String^, List<int>^>^ Tomatoes;

or as a Method returning parameter:

Food::Vegetable^ Vegetable_Create(List<KeyValuePair<int, Dictionary<System::String^, float>^>>^ a, List<KeyValuePair<System::String^, Food::Cucumber^>>^ b, Dictionary<System::String^, float>^ c);

I was wondering what the ^ operator is actually used for.

Do you know what the ^ operator is used for in C++ and is it really necessary?

Thanks!

Solution

  • The ^ operator in C++/CLI denotes a managed pointer. So int* is a raw pointer to an integer, while System::String^ is a managed pointer to a CLI string.

    All .Net classes must be handled via managed pointers or managed references (the % operator I think). So yes, it is absolutely necessary. It is, in fact, one of the most fundamental parts of C++/CLI. It is not part of normal C++.