Returning Multiple Values from a Function

How can I use tuples to return multiple values from a C++ function?

Tuples provide a clean way to return multiple values from a function without resorting to output parameters or complex data structures. Here's an example:

#include <string>
#include <tuple>

std::tuple<int, std::string> GetInfo(int id) {
  // Fetch player data...
  int score = 100;
  std::string name = "John";
  return {score, name};
}

int main() {
  auto [playerScore, playerName] = GetInfo(42);
  // Use playerScore and playerName...
}

The GetInfo() function returns a tuple containing the player's score and name. We can use structured bindings to conveniently unpack the returned values into separate variables.

This approach is more expressive than output parameters and avoids the overhead of creating a dedicated struct or class just for returning related values. Tuples shine for small numbers of values - for larger groups of data, a class is usually more appropriate.

Tuples and std::tuple

A guide to tuples and the std::tuple container, allowing us to store objects of different types.

Questions & Answers

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When to Use Tuples vs Structs
What are the advantages of using tuples over defining my own struct or class?
Using Tuples as Map Values
Can I use a tuple as the value type in a std::map? If so, how do I access the tuple elements?
Getting Tuple Element Types
How can I get the type of an element in a tuple?
Tuples vs Variadic Templates
When should I use tuples versus variadic template parameters?
Performance Implications of Tuples
Are there any performance implications to be aware of when using tuples?
Converting a Tuple to a Custom Type
Is there a way to convert a tuple to a custom struct or class?
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