gistfile1.cpp

typedef std::map<std::string, boost::any> VectorMap;
typedef std::pair<std::string, boost::any> VectorMapValue;

class VectorStore {
  public:
  
    template <typename T>
    void RegisterVec(std::string vec_name) {
      std::pair<VectorMap::iterator, bool> ret;
      ret = map_.insert(VectorMapValue(vec_name, std::vector<T>()));
      if (!ret.second) {
        throw std::invalid_argument("vec already registered");
      }
    }
    
    template <typename T>
    std::vector<T>& GetVector(std::string vec_name) {
      VectorMap::iterator it = map_.find(vec_name);
      if (it == map_.end()) {
        throw std::invalid_argument("unknown vec");
      }

      try {
         return boost::any_cast<std::vector<T>&>(it->second);
      } catch(boost::bad_any_cast E) {
        throw std::invalid_argument("invalid type");
      }
    }
    
  private:
    VectorMap map_;
};


// Usage Example:
//
// vs.RegisterVec<double>("radius_of_influence");
// vs.RegisterVec<int>("steps");
//
// std::vector<int> &steps = vs.GetVector<int>("steps")