Files
json/api/json_pointer/operator_spaceship.md
T
2026-10-03 05:43:12 +00:00

75 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown

# <small>nlohmann::json_pointer::</small>operator<=>
```cpp
// since C++20
class json_pointer {
template<typename RefStringTypeRhs>
std::strong_ordering operator<=>(const json_pointer<RefStringTypeRhs>& rhs) const noexcept; // *NOPAD*
};
```
3-way compares two JSON pointers by lexicographically comparing their sequences of reference tokens: corresponding
reference tokens are compared with `string_t`'s own `operator<=>`, and the first pair of tokens that differs
determines the result. If all corresponding reference tokens compare equal, the JSON pointer with fewer reference
tokens is ordered first.
## Template parameters
`RefStringTypeRhs`
: the string type of the right-hand side JSON pointer
## Parameters
`rhs` (in)
: JSON pointer to compare `*this` with
## Return value
the `std::strong_ordering` of the 3-way comparison of `*this` and `rhs`
## Exception safety
No-throw guarantee: this function never throws exceptions.
## Complexity
Linear in the number of reference tokens.
## Notes
!!! note "Ordering enables use as an associative container key"
Together with [`operator==`](operator_eq.md), `operator<=>` makes `json_pointer` a `LessThanComparable` type, so
it can be used as the key type of ordered associative containers such as `std::map` or `std::set`.
!!! note "Before C++20"
Without C++20's three-way comparison, `json_pointer` provides a non-member `operator<` instead, which orders JSON
pointers the same way. JSON pointers can therefore be used as keys of ordered associative containers with any
supported C++ standard.
## Examples
??? example
The example demonstrates 3-way comparing JSON pointers.
```cpp
--8<-- "examples/json_pointer__operator_spaceship.c++20.cpp"
```
Output:
```
--8<-- "examples/json_pointer__operator_spaceship.c++20.output"
```
## See also
- [operator==](operator_eq.md) compare: equal
- [operator!=](operator_ne.md) compare: not equal
## Version history
- Added in version 3.11.2.