Routines (alphabetical) > Object Classes > Miscellaneous Object Classes > IDL_Object::_overloadSize

# IDL_Object::_overloadSize

The IDL_Object::_overloadSize function method returns a vector of values representing the object’s “dimensions”.

This method is designed to replicate the default behavior of objects that do not use operator overloading. As a result, object classes that do inherit from the IDL_Object class but that do not override this particular method will behave in the same manner as object classes that do not inherit from the IDL_Object class.

Tip: If you write an object class that inherits from IDL_Object and overloads this method, you can call the superclass method directly to achieve the default behavior for specific cases.

## Syntax

In most cases, this method is called explicitly to provide information about an object’s dimensions. When called explicitly, the syntax is:

Result = Obj->[IDL_Object::]_overloadSize( )

## Return Value

This method is called by the SIZE and N_ELEMENTS functions when they are called with a scalar object that inherits from the IDL_Object class, but that does not implement its own `_overloadSize` function method. The return value replicates the behavior of calling the SIZE or N_ELEMENTS functions with an object that does not inherit from the IDL_Object class.

## Arguments

None

## Keywords

None

## Routine Signature

To overload this function method for an object class, implement a method with the following signature:

FUNCTION class::_overloadSize

The return value of this function should be a vector of up to eight elements containing the object “dimensions” (represented as non-negative integers). (You can define what constitutes a dimension for your object in any way you choose.)

## Version History

8.0 | Introduced

## See Also

IDL_Object::_overloadHelp, IDL_Object::_overloadPrint