null - Can't return nullptr to my class C++ -

in method in class, i'm checking if value 0 return nullptr, can't seem that.

complex complex::sqrt(const complex& cmplx) {     if(cmplx._imag == 0)         return nullptr;      return complex(); } 

the error i'm getting is: could not convert 'nullptr' 'std::nullptr_t' 'complex'

i realize now, nullptr pointers, however, object not pointer, there way me set null or similar?

you returning complex, not pointer. in order return nullptr, return type should complex*.

noticed edit - here's can do:

bool complex::sqrt(const complex& cmplx, complex& out) {     if(cmplx._imag == 0)     {         // out won't set here!         return false;     }      out = complex(...); // set out parameter here     return true; } 

call this:

complex resultofsqrt; if(sqrt(..., resultofsqrt)) {      // resultofsqrt guaranteed set here }  else {     // resultofsqrt wasn't set }