c++ - Can I overload 'operator new' with a different return type? -

here's situation: want overload "operator new" instead of allocating object in random space in memory, gets allocated in pre-defined memory buffer. want able save buffer file , load in future, want use handles instead of pointers. want, ideally, "operator new" return handle can use go straight object's place in it's buffer. possible in c++(11)? if not, best alternatives?

afaik cannot change return type of new operator. scenario try following approach:

1. define handle (or handle<t>, if need handles more 1 type) class, internally stores index allocation area (i.e. handle has 1 single member variable index). handle class need internally somehow have access allocation subsystem, i.e. need know actual storage area (buffer) located.

2. define constructor handle taking pointer (returned new implementation) argument , computing index (e.g. subtracting beginning of storage area)

3. also define dereferencing operator (operator *) handle class returning reference "handled" object (e.g. adding index beginning of storage area...)

4. in code, alsways use handle<t> instead of pointers t, @ least @ every point store handle/pointer.

that way, when serialize/deserialize storage area, indices written disk. using handle class same using pointers. computation of actual pointers done internally.

of course have performance penalty, since instead of directly using pointers there computation. might affect optimization can done compiler. 1 idea minimize performance issue implement conversion operator handle<t> t*, code pieces use single handle/pointer lot "precompute" pointer , use throughout code.