how to return different class instance, if at one time one object is present

[raviroches]

I have a class c which has instance of classes fs nad s.but will have one instance of class(either s or fs) at one time. The inline function foo returns object of s, in some cases need to return instance of fs using same function. Can any one help me how can i achive this. External class uses this finction to get information. Here only return type need to be different, depend on which class object is created at that time.

class fs
{}

class s
{}

class c
{
public:
inline s foo()
{
return s;
}
}

Thanks and Regards,
Ravikanth

[wizard_hu_]

The concrete return type has to be available in compilation time, so strictly said you can not do that. A thing you could do is returning a union of the two classes.
You can also make s and fs to be relatives, and return pointers/refernces (const or non-const, depending on the use-case) to the higher level one - and provide a way to check what the actual object is.

You can find more about C++ in a C++ book.