4. Boost: Usage Examples¶

This page provides some examples on how to use shared_ptr, make_shared, function and bind, which were introduced on the Boost page, at application level and in combination with Tudat. Note that the first two are crucial for any Tudat user. The documentation on function/bind should be consulted only when working on feature development. The example of bind also includes the use of the RK4 numerical integrator from Tudat.

4.1. shared_ptr¶

The boost shared_ptr is a template class that stores a smart pointer to a dynamically allocated object. Generally, it behaves much like a normal C++ pointer but should be used instead, because it is more safe. Use of this pointer ensures that the object pointed to is destroyed when the last shared_ptr to the object is destroyed or reset. Thus, this feature provides automatic memory management and prevents memory leaks. Also, this eliminates the use of explicit delete statements.
Example description
This example considers a shared pointer to a TestBody class. This “TestBody” class is essentially a stripped-down version of the full Body class used in Tudat. For this example it is assumed that the code for this class is in your application folder. The code of this small TestBody class is given at the end of this page.

The constructor of the TestBody class is:
TestBody( const Eigen::Vector6d& aState, const double aTime = 0.0 );
where the input of the constructor is a state vector (in Cartesian elements) and the time, which has the default value 0.0. Assume that the state vector in Cartesian elements is known: initialState.
Include statements
For this example, the following include statement is required:
#include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
Generally, this include statement is required when using shared pointers in your code. Furthermore, the code of the “TestBody” class should be included, either above the main function or as a separate header and source file.
Defining the shared pointer type
The boost shared_ptr class is a template class that stores a smart pointer to a dynamically allocated object. Generally, it is of the following form:
boost::shared_ptr< objectType >
where boost::shared_ptr is used to indicate that it is a shared pointer, and objectType is the type of the object that it points to. The object type is placed in angular brackets, because it is a template parameter.

The shared pointer to an object of the TestBody class can now be declared as:
boost::shared_ptr< TestBody >
The above type can be roughly considered as the ‘equivalent’ to the following raw pointer-type:
TestBody*
shared_ptr typedef
It can be convenient to create a typedef for the shared_ptr to a TestBody class as follows:
typedef boost::shared_ptr< TestBody > TestBodyPointer;
Such a typedef can be placed in the header file of the class below the class itself, or in the main function. Within Tudat you will see many typedefs for shared pointers. Creating such a type definition makes it easier to read the code.
Creating a boost shared pointer
In our main function, we now want to create a shared pointer to an object of the TestBody class, we will name the pointer exampleTestBodyPointer. We can use the following code to create the shared_ptr:
boost::shared_ptr< TestBody > exampleTestBodyPointer( new TestBody( initialState ) );
where:

boost::shared_ptr< TestBody > is the type: a shared pointer to an object of type TestBody.

exampleTestBodyPointer is the name of the object-pointer.

new is used to dynamically allocate the memory to the object.

TestBody( ) is the call to the constructor of the TestBody class.

initialState is the input to the TestBody class constructor.

Note that the default value for aTime (0.0) is used. Equivalently, we can use the above typedef instead:
TestBodyPointer exampleTestBodyPointer( new TestBody( initialState ) );
The above line of code can be roughly considered as the shared_ptr ‘equivalent’ to the following raw pointer code:
TestBody* exampleTestBodyPointer = new TestBody( initialState );

4.2. make_shared¶

Boost make_shared is a factory function that creates an object of a given type and returns a shared_ptr to it. This way the explicit use of new is avoided.
Example description

For this example, again consider the constructor of the TestBody class (see the shared_ptr example), and assume that the input state is known: initialState.

Include statements
For this example the following include statements are required:
#include <boost/make_shared.hpp>
#include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
Generally, when using make_shared in your code, the first statement should be included.
Creating a boost shared pointer using make_shared
In our main function, we again want to create a shared pointer to an object of the TestBody class, which we will name newExampleTestBodyPointer. Now we will create it using boost’s make_shared:
boost::shared_ptr< TestBody > newExampleTestBodyPointer = boost::make_shared< TestBody >( initialState );
where:

boost::shared_ptr< TestBody > is the type: a shared pointer to an object of type TestBody.

newExampleTestBodyPointer is the name of the object-pointer.

boost::make_shared< TestBody > is the factory function that creates an object of type TestBody and returns a shared pointer to it.

( initialState ) is the input to the TestBody class constructor.

The above line of code can be roughly considered as the shared_ptr and make_shared ‘equivalent’ to the following raw pointer code:
TestBody* asterix = new TestBody( asterixInitialState );
Note that the make_shared constructor cannot take more that 10 arguments. If you want to construct a shared pointer to an object that requires more than 10 arguments, use the following code instead:
boost::shared_ptr< objectType > newExampleTestBodyPointer( new objectType( input1, input2, ..., inputN ) ); // Where N > 10.

4.3. function¶

The boost function library contains a family of class templates that are function object wrappers. It is used in Tudat instead of a normal C++ function pointer because it is an easy way to pass a function as an input to another object or function. Specifically, it allows the passing of free functions and class member functions with a single interface. The boost function type defines both its input types (and order) and its output type. Any function that fits this profile is accepted when it is passed.
Example description
For this example, we will show the use of function with a free function. The example with a member function is shown in the bind example below. We use the Himmelblau function as an example:
f( x, y ) = ( x 2 + y - 11 )^2 + ( x + y 2 - 7 )^2
For which we have the following C++ free function:
double himmelblau( double x, double y )
{
    return ( ( x * x + y - 11.0 ) * ( x * x + y - 11.0 )
             + ( x + y * y - 7.0 ) * ( x + y * y - 7.0 ) );
}
Include statements
For this example, the following include statement is required:
#include <boost/function.hpp>
Generally, when using function in your code, this include statement is required.
Defining the boost function type
The function type that corresponds to the Himmelblau function defined above is:
boost::function< double ( double, double ) >;
where the parameters between the angular brackets are the template parameters. These parameters comply to the form:
< output ( input(s) ) >
where output is the output type and input(s) is the type of the input, this can be a list of input arguments.
Creating a boost function pointer
In our main function, we want to create a function pointer that complies to this form, which we name exampleFunction. We can use the following code to create the function pointer:
boost::function< double ( double, double ) > exampleFunction = &himmelblau;
where:

boost::function< double ( double, double ) > is the type of exampleFunction, which describes the form of the function (input: double, double; output: double).

exampleFunction is the name of the object.

&himmelblau is the function object that is assigned (note the use of the ampersand &).
Using the function pointer
Later-on in the code the input argument to the function object exampleFunction can be provided using:
double initialPoint = exampleFunction ( 0.0, 0.0 ); // Computes f( 0.0, 0.0 )
double randomPoint = exampleFunction ( -5.0, 3.0 ); // Computes f( -5.0, 3.0 )
Here, the input values (0.0, 0.0 and -5.0, 3.0 respectively) are routed to the function himmelblau, where the output is computed.
Results
Using the code that was discussed in this example, you should be able to reproduce the following results:
x
y
f(x,y)
3.0
2.0
0.0
-3.779310
-3.283189
4.24634e-010
-2.0
3.0
16.0
0.0
0.0
170.0
Creating a function returning a constant value
There are cases in which you will want to create a function that always returns the same value, without any reference to a specific implementation. This is achieved by using the boost::lambda::constant function. This function can be created as follows:
boost::function< double( ) > testFunction = boost::lambda::constant( 3.0 );
Now, if at any point in the code, the following is called:
double testValue = testFunction( );
will result in testValue holding the value 3.0. The same trick can be used for any other type than a double. For instance:
boost::function< Eigen::Vector3d( ) > testVectorFunction = boost::lambda::constant( Eigen::Vector3d::UnitX( ) );
will create a function that always returns the (1,0,0) vector. Also, this interface can be used for boost functions requiring inputs, so that:
 boost::function< double( const double ) > testFunction = boost::lambda::constant( 3.0 );
double inputValue = 20.0;
 double testValue = testFunction( inputValue );
will ignore the input to testFunction and again assign 3.0 to the testValue variable.

4.4. bind¶

The boost bind library implements a simple and versatile function argument binding mechanism. This boost feature is used in Tudat because it is a good way to pass function objects. Its use is required for a unified free function and member function interface when using a class method, due to the way C++ calls function methods1.

When using boost bind in your code, it can take many forms, varying where the class method is called (e.g. outside or inside the class), and varying the use of placeholders. This example considers the use of placeholders and calling from outside or inside a class.
Example description

The example described here is that of a Skydiver who starts its fall from an altitude of 25 kilometers. We are interested in its position and velocity after 50 seconds of free fall. The following assumptions are made:

The Earth and the Skydiver are modeled as point masses.

Variations in Earth’s gravity with altitude are ignored.

All perturbations are neglected.

The following data is also needed for the calculations:

The initial altitude is 25 kilometers.

The initial velocity is 0 m/s.

The gravitational acceleration is constant at 9.81 m/s^2.

The Runge-Kutta 4 (RK4) integrator is used with a fixed step size of 1 second.

Include statements
For this example, the following include statements are required:
 #include <boost/bind.hpp>
 #include <Eigen/Core>
#include <Tudat/Mathematics/NumericalIntegrators/rungeKutta4Integrator.h>
When using bind in your code, the first include statement is required. To make use of Eigen types, the Core of Eigen is included as well. The last include statement is used for the RK4 integrator. For more information on Eigen, see Eigen. For more information on numerical integrators, see Tutorial Numerical Integrators
Calling from outside the class
First, an example is given when calling a class method from outside the class. For this we will define the Skydiver class, with a constructor and a function that computes the state derivative for its equations of motion:
class Skydiver
{
public:

    //! Constructor of the Skydiver class.
    Skydiver( ){ }

    //! Compute the state derivative for given time and state.
    Eigen::Vector2d computeStateDerivative( const double time, const Eigen::Vector2d& state );

protected:

private:
};
The function to compute the state derivative is:
    Eigen::Vector2d Skydiver::computeStateDerivative( const double time, const Eigen::Vector2d& state )
    {
    // Note that the time is not used in this function, but it is required as input for the integrator.
    Eigen::Vector2d stateDerivative = Eigen::Vector2d::Zero( ); // Declare and initialize to zero.
    stateDerivative( 0 ) = state( 1 );  // Velocity
    stateDerivative( 1 ) = -9.81;       // Acceleration

    return stateDerivative;
}
The Skydiver class and function to compute the derivative can be placed above the main function (or alternatively in a separate header and source file). Inside the main function, first declare the constants that were given above. Declare these yourself:
initialTime
initialState // (which is of the type Eigen::Vector2d)
timeStep
endTime
Then, our Skydiver testDiver is constructed:
Skydiver testDiver;
Next, an intermediate step is taken, before defining the integrator itself. The constructor of the RK4 integrator takes a state-derivative function, an initial time and an initial state. The state-derivative function is a function type that corresponds to:
boost::function< Eigen::Vector2d ( const double, const Eigen::Vector2d ) >
The state derivative is the class method computeStateDerivative of the Skydiver class, because this is a class method, bind is used to create a function pointer to the state-derivative function:
boost::function< Eigen::Vector2d ( const double, const Eigen::Vector2d ) > stateDerivativeFunction
    = boost::bind( &Skydiver::computeStateDerivative, &testDiver, _1, _2 );
where:

boost::function< Eigen::Vector2d ( const double, const Eigen::Vector2d ) > is the type of stateDerivativeFunction, which describes the form of the function (input: double, Vector2d; output: Vector2d.

stateDerivativeFunction is the name of the object.

boost::bind( ... ) is the call to boost::bind that binds the class method of the object testDiver to the object.

&Skydiver::computeStateDerivative is the member function of the Skydiver class that is bound (note the use of the ampersand &).

&testDiver is the object that the member function belongs to. Note the use of the ampersand &: this is used to pass a pointer to the object and not the object itself. Note that you can also pass a shared_ptr.

_1 and _2 specify placeholders. This is used to route the input arguments such that the input of the function can be provided later-on. In this case it specifies that the argument list for the computeStateDerivative function takes two arguments (time, state), and the order in which these arguments are taken.

This boost::function can then be passed to the constructor of the integrator, the integrator is created as follows:
tudat::mathematics::numerical_integrators::RungeKutta4IntegratorXd integrator(
    stateDerivativeFunction, initialTime, initialState );
where:

RungeKuttaIntegratorXd is the type of the object created, which is the default RungeKutta4Integrator.

integrator is the name of the object.

stateDerivativeFunction, initialTime and initialState are the input arguments of the constructor of the RK4 integrator.

Note that the previous two code fragments can also be coded as a single statement, which is more complex:
tudat::mathematics::numerical_integrators::RungeKutta4IntegratorXd integrator(
    boost::bind( &Skydiver::computeStateDerivative, &testDiver, _1, _2 ),
    initialTime, initialState );
The end state can now be computed using the class method integrateTo( ) of the integrator:
const Eigen::Vector2d endState = integrator.integrateTo( endTime, timeStep );
Calling from inside the class
Second, an example is given when calling a class method from inside the class. For this we will modify the Skydiver class by adding a second class method:
class Skydiver
{
public:

    //! Constructor of the Skydiver class.
    Skydiver( ){ }

    //! Compute the state derivative for given time and state.
    Eigen::Vector2d computeStateDerivative( const double time, const Eigen::Vector2d& state );

    //! Compute the final state for given initial conditions, final time and time step-size.
    Eigen::Vector2d computeFinalState( const double initialTime, const Eigen::Vector2d& initialState,
                                       const double endTime, const double timeStep );

protected:

private:
};
The function to compute the state derivative is the same as above, and the function to compute the final state is:
Eigen::Vector2d Skydiver::computeFinalState( const double initialTime, const Eigen::Vector2d& initialState,
                                         const double endTime, const double timeStep )
{
    tudat::mathematics::numerical_integrators::RungeKutta4IntegratorXd integrator(
                boost::bind( &Skydiver::computeStateDerivative, this, _1, _2 ),
                initialTime, initialState );

    return integrator.integrateTo( endTime, timeStep );
}
Now, compare this function to the code of the previous example. The integrator is now used inside the class method computeFinalState. This method calls the state derivative function from within the class. Do you notice the difference?

Focus on the boost::bind call. In the previous example, the object that the method belonged to was testDiver. Now, the class method is called from within the class and the object that the method belongs to is this. Did you spot it? Great! That is the difference between calling from outside or inside a class.

As in the previous example, declare the constants that were given in the main function. In the same manner as before, also the testDiver is declared. Now the end state can be computed using:
const Eigen::Vector2d endState = testDiver.computeFinalState( initialTime, initialState, endTime, timeStep );
Results
Using the code that was discussed in this example, you should be able to reproduce the following results:
 Time [s]
 Position [m]
 Velocity [m/s]
 10
 24509.5
 -98.1
 20
 23038
-196.2
 50
12737.5
-490.5
Note that the following explanation about function calls in C++ is a simplification of reality, and for a rigorous explanation refer to your local computer scientist. When a new instance of a class is created, this does not mean that all function definitions etc. are copied. There is only one copy of a function in memory, regardless of the amount of class instances. When a class method is called, the function is called with a hidden pointer to the class instance; this way the method knows about the class variables. When a class method is called via a function pointer, then the pointer to the class instance needs to be passed explicitly by the called. This is where bind comes into the picture. The bind function wraps a function into another object, and stores the passed arguments (which in the examples are respectively testDiver and this). When the function wrapper is eventually called, the function wrapper will call the wrapped function with both the arguments passed at its construction, as those passed to the call. The arguments passed to the function wrapper call are indicated with the _1, respectively _2 in the bind call.

class TestBody¶

//! The test body class.
/*!
 * This class serves as an example of how a data repository can be constructed that stores state
 * and time information, which can be used in conjunction with acceleration models, the Cartesian
 * state derivative model, and the composite state derivative model. It should be noted that this
 * class should NOT be used "as is", without consideration for the application at hand. Classes
 * such as this are application-specific, hence unavailable through the Tudat libraries.
 */
class TestBody
{
public:

    // Constructor that takes an input state and time.
    // The default value of the input time is 0.0.
    TestBody( const Eigen::Vector6d& aState, const double aTime = 0.0 )
        : currentState( aState ),
          currentPosition( aState.segment( 0, 3 ) ),
          currentTime( aTime )
    { }

    // Public member function: set the current time and state.
    // This sets the current time, state and position, that are stored internally.
    void setCurrentTimeAndState( const double aTime,
                                 const Eigen::Vector6d& aState )
   {
        currentTime = aTime;
        currentState = aState;
        currentPosition = aState.segment( 0, 3 );
    }

    // Public member function: get the current position.
    // This returns the internally stored current position vector.
    Eigen::Vector3d getCurrentPosition( ) { return currentPosition; }

protected:

private:

    // Private member: the current state.
    Eigen::Vector6d currentState;

    // Private member: the current position.
    Eigen::Vector3d currentPosition;

    // Private member: the current time.
    double currentTime;
};