array of class instances

You could do it either way, with pointers or instances, although instances isn't quite the proper term. What you're doing is filling up an array of memory slots for your structure. If your class structures are large, then you might prefer pointers to save memory.

To determine if a slot is empty, you can set one of the parameters in the structure to zero, or you could include an extra structure, which would hold a variable to indicate if a slot is empty. With pointers you could just set the pointers to NULL if the slot is empty.

The instance, or structure approach:

class myClass{
int var1;
int empty;
};

myClass array[5], zero;
zero.var1 = 0;
zero.empty = 0;

//initialize
for(int i=0;i<5;i++){
array[i] = zero;
}

//add entry
for(int i=0; i< 5;i++){
if(array[i].empty == 0){
array[i].var1 = 12;
array[i].empty = 1;
break;
}
}

Then, when you want to add a value, you iterate through each slot until you find an empty one and stick your stucture in.


Using pointers

myClass *pArray[5];

//initialize
for(int i=0;i<5;i++){
pArray[i] = NULL;
}

//Then, to add a value
for(int i = 0; i< 5; i++){
if(pArray[i] == NULL){
pArray[i] = new myClass();
pArray[i]->var1 = 10;
break;
}
}

In this case you will have to delete each element in the array when you're done with them to prevent a memory leak.

Hope that's clear.

You can also rate my post if it was helpful. Thanks.

Thanks to both of you for your time.
I will address jalway first, thank you for correctly my vocabulary, although I was aware of that to begin with, I typed the topic up very quickly because I started to become frustrated with my attempts and just wanted an answer as quick as possible. I think I will use the pointer method, but I forgot how to manage it properly, like if I'm done with the class how do I get rid of it, for lack of a better term, so that there isn't a memory leak. Also, that was more or less the approach I was trying, I was forgetting to store the pointer and setting them to NULL first. I might have a bit more problems when I go to actually do it though, because I'm new to c++ in the sense of I know the syntax and howto's for the most part but havent had much implementation practice.
Now for bovinedragon, thanks for that information, I believe a vector, which i didn't know what it was before, is the best fit but I think its best if I go to them with a little more experience, if you don't agree, you probably know better.
Again, thanks for the help in a matter which is probably very simple, I will rate both of your posts soon, when i get the time, as they were extremely helpful.

Again, thanks. I believe that covers everything I needed.