compare.h

/*
 * This file contains code from "C++ Primer, Fifth Edition", by Stanley B.
 * Lippman, Josee Lajoie, and Barbara E. Moo, and is covered under the
 * copyright and warranty notices given in that book:
 * 
 * "Copyright (c) 2013 by Objectwrite, Inc., Josee Lajoie, and Barbara E. Moo."
 * 
 * 
 * "The authors and publisher have taken care in the preparation of this book,
 * but make no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assume no
 * responsibility for errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for
 * incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of the
 * use of the information or programs contained herein."
 * 
 * Permission is granted for this code to be used for educational purposes in
 * association with the book, given proper citation if and when posted or
 * reproduced.Any commercial use of this code requires the explicit written
 * permission of the publisher, Addison-Wesley Professional, a division of
 * Pearson Education, Inc. Send your request for permission, stating clearly
 * what code you would like to use, and in what specific way, to the following
 * address: 
 * 
 * 	Pearson Education, Inc.
 * 	Rights and Permissions Department
 * 	One Lake Street
 * 	Upper Saddle River, NJ  07458
 * 	Fax: (201) 236-3290
*/ 

#ifndef COMPARE_H
#define COMPARE_H
#include <cstring>

// implement strcmp-like generic compare function 
// returns 0 if the values are equal, 1 if v1 is larger, -1 if v1 is smaller
template <typename T>
int compare(const T &v1, const T &v2)
{
    if (v1 < v2) return -1;
    if (v2 < v1) return 1;
    return 0;
}

// special version of compare to handle C-style character strings
template <>
inline
int compare(const char* const &v1, const char* const &v2)
{
    return std::strcmp(v1, v2);
}

#endif