---
name: "ost_RefObject"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libcommoncpp2-doc"
version: "1.8.1-10"
release: "Debian 11 (Bullseye)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ost_RefObject"
---

# ost\_RefObject(3)

A reference countable object.

## NAME

ost::RefObject - A reference countable object.

## SYNOPSIS

`#include <object.h>`

### Public Member Functions

virtual void \* **getObject** (void)=0\
 The actual object being managed can be returned by this method as a void and then recast to the actual type.

### Protected Member Functions

**RefObject** ()\
 The constructor simply initializes the count.  virtual **~RefObject** ()\
 The destructor is called when the reference count returns to zero.

### Protected Attributes

unsigned **refCount**\

### Friends

class **RefPointer**\

## Detailed Description

A reference countable object.

This is used in association with smart pointers (**RefPointer**).

**Author**

David Sugar dyfet@gnutelephony.org

Object managed by smart pointer reference count.

## Constructor & Destructor Documentation

### ost::RefObject::RefObject ()` [inline]`, ` [protected]`

The constructor simply initializes the count.

### virtual ost::RefObject::~RefObject ()` [protected]`, ` [virtual]`

The destructor is called when the reference count returns to zero. This is done through a virtual destructor.

## Member Function Documentation

### virtual void\* ost::RefObject::getObject (void)` [pure virtual]`

The actual object being managed can be returned by this method as a void and then recast to the actual type. This removes the need to dynamic cast from **RefObject** and the dependence on rtti this implies.

**Returns**

underlying object being referenced.

## Friends And Related Function Documentation

### friend class RefPointer` [friend]`

## Member Data Documentation

### unsigned ost::RefObject::refCount` [protected]`

## Author

Generated automatically by Doxygen for GNU CommonC++ from the source code.