A framework for dynamic checks of C arrays via a C++ class

The ability to define overloaded operators and generic templated classes in C++ provides a mechanism for the definition of array classes. We present an array class hierarchy that can be substituted for built-in arrays in a given C program, with minimal changes to the actual code and no change in the run-time semantics of the program. This augments our previous work (1997) that developed a class hierarchy for C pointers. The array class hierarchy provides a framework for customising the semantics of array operations and enables, for example, full bounds checking to be performed. By translating the original source code declarations to use the array class, so-called safe arrays can be provided