TITLE: Alternative syntax for object status checks

PROBLEM: The use of status checking methods can sometimes be a little
wordy. Is there a way to simplify the following from this

"while(object.status()) {...}" to this "while(object) {...}" ?


RESPONSE: Reid Ellis (rae@alias.com)  (edited)

This can easily be accomplished right now by providing an "operator
void *" method...

class MyClass {
   ...
public:
   ...
   void* operator void* () { ... }
};


like the iostream classes do.  This is why you can say:

while(cin)
{
	cin >> buf;
	...
}

[ I would be reluctant to provide such an operator. I tend to shy away
  from "cast" operators due to the cast song-and-dance C++ goes through.
  In short, I think these must be carefully thought out. -adc ]