Eeschema schematic object improvements.

* Remove unnecessary copy constructors from schematic and component
  library objects.
* Add comment to class definitions where the default copy constructor
  generated by the compiler was adequate.
* Add assignment operator to EDA_ITEM, SCH_ITEM, and all schematic
  objects where the default assignment operator generated by the
  compiler would not be adequate.

common/base_struct.cpp

@@ -212,6 +212,27 @@ bool EDA_ITEM::operator<( const EDA_ITEM& aItem ) const
 }
 
 
+EDA_ITEM& EDA_ITEM::operator=( const EDA_ITEM& aItem )
+{
+    wxCHECK_MSG( Type() == aItem.Type(), *this,
+                 wxT( "Cannot assign object type " ) + aItem.GetClass() + wxT( " to type " ) +
+                 GetClass() );
+
+    if( &aItem != this )
+    {
+        // Do not assign the linked list pointers.
+        m_StructType = aItem.m_StructType;
+        m_Parent     = aItem.m_Parent;
+        m_Son        = aItem.m_Son;
+        m_Flags      = aItem.m_Flags;
+        SetTimeStamp( aItem.m_TimeStamp );
+        m_Status     = aItem.m_Status;
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
 #if defined(DEBUG)
 
 // A function that should have been in wxWidgets

common/sch_item_struct.cpp

@@ -102,6 +102,23 @@ bool SCH_ITEM::operator < ( const SCH_ITEM& aItem ) const
 }
 
 
+SCH_ITEM& SCH_ITEM::operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem )
+{
+    wxCHECK_MSG( Type() == aItem.Type(), *this,
+                 wxT( "Cannot assign object type " ) + aItem.GetClass() + wxT( " to type " ) +
+                 GetClass() );
+
+    if( &aItem != this )
+    {
+        EDA_ITEM::operator=( aItem );
+        m_Layer = aItem.m_Layer;
+        m_connections = aItem.m_connections;
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
 void SCH_ITEM::doPlot( PLOTTER* aPlotter )
 {
     wxFAIL_MSG( wxT( "doPlot() method not implemented for class " ) + GetClass() );

eeschema/edit_bitmap.cpp

-/**
- * @file edit_bitmap.cpp
- */
-
 /*
  * This program source code file is part of KiCad, a free EDA CAD application.
  *
@@ -26,6 +22,10 @@
  * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA
  */
 
+/**
+ * @file edit_bitmap.cpp
+ */
+
 #include "fctsys.h"
 #include "gr_basic.h"
 #include "macros.h"
@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@
 #include "sch_bitmap.h"
 #include "dialog_image_editor.h"
 
+#include <algorithm>
+
+
 static void abortMoveBitmap( EDA_DRAW_PANEL* aPanel, wxDC* aDC )
 {
     SCH_SCREEN*     screen = (SCH_SCREEN*) aPanel->GetScreen();
@@ -67,7 +70,7 @@ static void abortMoveBitmap( EDA_DRAW_PANEL* aPanel, wxDC* aDC )
 
         // Never delete existing item, because it can be referenced by an undo/redo command
         // Just restore its data
-        item->SwapData( olditem );
+        swap( *item, *olditem );
     }
 
     screen->SetCurItem( item );

eeschema/lib_arc.cpp

@@ -92,19 +92,6 @@ LIB_ARC::LIB_ARC( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent ) : LIB_ITEM( LIB_ARC_T, aParent )
 }
 
 
-LIB_ARC::LIB_ARC( const LIB_ARC& aArc ) : LIB_ITEM( aArc )
-{
-    m_Radius   = aArc.m_Radius;
-    m_t1       = aArc.m_t1;
-    m_t2       = aArc.m_t2;
-    m_Width    = aArc.m_Width;
-    m_Fill     = aArc.m_Fill;
-    m_Pos      = aArc.m_Pos;
-    m_ArcStart = aArc.m_ArcStart;
-    m_ArcEnd   = aArc.m_ArcEnd;
-}
-
-
 bool LIB_ARC::Save( OUTPUTFORMATTER& aFormatter )
 {
     int x1 = m_t1;

eeschema/lib_arc.h

@@ -85,7 +85,9 @@ class LIB_ARC : public LIB_ITEM
 
 public:
     LIB_ARC( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent );
-    LIB_ARC( const LIB_ARC& aArc );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_ARC() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_bezier.cpp

@@ -53,15 +53,6 @@ LIB_BEZIER::LIB_BEZIER( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent ) :
 }
 
 
-LIB_BEZIER::LIB_BEZIER( const LIB_BEZIER& aBezier ) : LIB_ITEM( aBezier )
-{
-    m_PolyPoints   = aBezier.m_PolyPoints;
-    m_BezierPoints = aBezier.m_BezierPoints;   // Vector copy
-    m_Width        = aBezier.m_Width;
-    m_Fill         = aBezier.m_Fill;
-}
-
-
 bool LIB_BEZIER::Save( OUTPUTFORMATTER& aFormatter )
 {
     int ccount = GetCornerCount();

eeschema/lib_bezier.h

@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ class LIB_BEZIER : public LIB_ITEM
 
 public:
     LIB_BEZIER( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent );
-    LIB_BEZIER( const LIB_BEZIER& aBezier );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_BEZIER() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_circle.cpp

@@ -54,16 +54,6 @@ LIB_CIRCLE::LIB_CIRCLE( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent ) :
 }
 
 
-LIB_CIRCLE::LIB_CIRCLE( const LIB_CIRCLE& aCircle ) :
-    LIB_ITEM( aCircle )
-{
-    m_Pos    = aCircle.m_Pos;
-    m_Radius = aCircle.m_Radius;
-    m_Fill   = aCircle.m_Fill;
-    m_Width  = aCircle.m_Width;
-}
-
-
 bool LIB_CIRCLE::Save( OUTPUTFORMATTER& aFormatter )
 {
     aFormatter.Print( 0, "C %d %d %d %d %d %d %c\n", m_Pos.x, m_Pos.y,

eeschema/lib_circle.h

@@ -54,7 +54,9 @@ class LIB_CIRCLE : public LIB_ITEM
 
 public:
     LIB_CIRCLE( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent );
-    LIB_CIRCLE( const LIB_CIRCLE& aCircle );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_CIRCLE() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_draw_item.cpp

@@ -58,18 +58,6 @@ LIB_ITEM::LIB_ITEM( KICAD_T        aType,
 }
 
 
-LIB_ITEM::LIB_ITEM( const LIB_ITEM& aItem ) :
-    EDA_ITEM( aItem )
-{
-    m_Unit = aItem.m_Unit;
-    m_Convert = aItem.m_Convert;
-    m_Fill = aItem.m_Fill;
-    m_typeName = aItem.m_typeName;
-    m_isFillable = aItem.m_isFillable;
-    m_eraseLastDrawItem = false;
-}
-
-
 void LIB_ITEM::DisplayInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame )
 {
     wxString msg;
@@ -81,6 +69,7 @@ void LIB_ITEM::DisplayInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame )
         msg = _( "All" );
     else
         msg.Printf( wxT( "%d" ), m_Unit );
+
     aFrame->AppendMsgPanel( _( "Unit" ), msg, BROWN );
 
     if( m_Convert == 0 )
@@ -91,6 +80,7 @@ void LIB_ITEM::DisplayInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame )
         msg = _( "yes" );
     else
         msg = wxT( "?" );
+
     aFrame->AppendMsgPanel( _( "Convert" ), msg, BROWN );
 }
 

eeschema/lib_draw_item.h

@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ public:
               int            aConvert   = 0,
               FILL_T         aFillType  = NO_FILL );
 
-    LIB_ITEM( const LIB_ITEM& aItem );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     virtual ~LIB_ITEM() { }
 

eeschema/lib_field.cpp

@@ -59,23 +59,6 @@ LIB_FIELD::LIB_FIELD( int idfield ) : LIB_ITEM( LIB_FIELD_T, NULL )
 }
 
 
-LIB_FIELD::LIB_FIELD( const LIB_FIELD& field ) : LIB_ITEM( field )
-{
-    m_id        = field.m_id;
-    m_Pos       = field.m_Pos;
-    m_Size      = field.m_Size;
-    m_Thickness = field.m_Thickness;
-    m_Orient    = field.m_Orient;
-    m_Attributs = field.m_Attributs;
-    m_Text      = field.m_Text;
-    m_name      = field.m_name;
-    m_HJustify  = field.m_HJustify;
-    m_VJustify  = field.m_VJustify;
-    m_Italic    = field.m_Italic;
-    m_Bold      = field.m_Bold;
-}
-
-
 LIB_FIELD::~LIB_FIELD()
 {
 }

eeschema/lib_field.h

@@ -83,8 +83,11 @@ class LIB_FIELD : public LIB_ITEM, public EDA_TEXT
 public:
 
     LIB_FIELD( int idfield = 2 );
+
     LIB_FIELD( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent, int idfield = 2 );
-    LIB_FIELD( const LIB_FIELD& field );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_FIELD();
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_pin.cpp

@@ -198,22 +198,6 @@ LIB_PIN::LIB_PIN( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent ) :
 }
 
 
-LIB_PIN::LIB_PIN( const LIB_PIN& pin ) : LIB_ITEM( pin )
-{
-    m_position = pin.m_position;
-    m_length = pin.m_length;
-    m_orientation = pin.m_orientation;
-    m_shape = pin.m_shape;
-    m_type = pin.m_type;
-    m_attributes = pin.m_attributes;
-    m_number = pin.m_number;
-    m_numTextSize = pin.m_numTextSize;
-    m_nameTextSize = pin.m_nameTextSize;
-    m_width = pin.m_width;
-    m_name = pin.m_name;
-}
-
-
 void LIB_PIN::SetName( const wxString& aName )
 {
     wxString tmp = ( aName.IsEmpty() ) ? wxT( "~" ) : aName;

eeschema/lib_pin.h

@@ -125,7 +125,9 @@ class LIB_PIN : public LIB_ITEM
 
 public:
     LIB_PIN( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent );
-    LIB_PIN( const LIB_PIN& aPin );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_PIN() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_polyline.cpp

@@ -54,14 +54,6 @@ LIB_POLYLINE::LIB_POLYLINE( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent ) :
 }
 
 
-LIB_POLYLINE::LIB_POLYLINE( const LIB_POLYLINE& polyline ) :
-    LIB_ITEM( polyline )
-{
-    m_PolyPoints = polyline.m_PolyPoints;   // Vector copy
-    m_Width = polyline.m_Width;
-}
-
-
 bool LIB_POLYLINE::Save( OUTPUTFORMATTER& aFormatter )
 {
     int ccount = GetCornerCount();

eeschema/lib_polyline.h

@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ class LIB_POLYLINE : public LIB_ITEM
 
 public:
     LIB_POLYLINE( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent );
-    LIB_POLYLINE( const LIB_POLYLINE& aPolyline );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_POLYLINE() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_rectangle.cpp

@@ -55,16 +55,6 @@ LIB_RECTANGLE::LIB_RECTANGLE( LIB_COMPONENT* aParent ) :
 }
 
 
-LIB_RECTANGLE::LIB_RECTANGLE( const LIB_RECTANGLE& aRect ) :
-    LIB_ITEM( aRect )
-{
-    m_Pos   = aRect.m_Pos;
-    m_End   = aRect.m_End;
-    m_Width = aRect.m_Width;
-    m_Fill  = aRect.m_Fill;
-}
-
-
 bool LIB_RECTANGLE::Save( OUTPUTFORMATTER& aFormatter )
 {
     aFormatter.Print( 0, "S %d %d %d %d %d %d %d %c\n", m_Pos.x, m_Pos.y,

eeschema/lib_rectangle.h

@@ -55,10 +55,11 @@ class LIB_RECTANGLE  : public LIB_ITEM
      */
     void calcEdit( const wxPoint& aPosition );
 
-public:
 public:
     LIB_RECTANGLE( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent );
-    LIB_RECTANGLE( const LIB_RECTANGLE& aRect );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_RECTANGLE() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/lib_text.cpp

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 #include "lib_text.h"
 
 
-LIB_TEXT::LIB_TEXT(LIB_COMPONENT * aParent) :
+LIB_TEXT::LIB_TEXT( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent ) :
     LIB_ITEM( LIB_TEXT_T, aParent ),
     EDA_TEXT()
 {

eeschema/lib_text.h

@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ class LIB_TEXT : public LIB_ITEM, public EDA_TEXT
 
 public:
     LIB_TEXT( LIB_COMPONENT * aParent );
-    LIB_TEXT( const LIB_TEXT& aText );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~LIB_TEXT() { }
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/sch_bitmap.cpp

@@ -67,6 +67,27 @@ SCH_BITMAP::SCH_BITMAP( const SCH_BITMAP& aSchBitmap ) :
 }
 
 
+SCH_ITEM& SCH_BITMAP::operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem )
+{
+    wxCHECK_MSG( Type() == aItem.Type(), *this,
+                 wxT( "Cannot assign object type " ) + aItem.GetClass() + wxT( " to type " ) +
+                 GetClass() );
+
+    if( &aItem != this )
+    {
+        SCH_ITEM::operator=( aItem );
+
+        SCH_BITMAP* bitmap = (SCH_BITMAP*) &aItem;
+
+        delete m_Image;
+        m_Image = new BITMAP_BASE( *bitmap->m_Image );
+        m_Pos = bitmap->m_Pos;
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
 bool SCH_BITMAP::ReadImageFile( const wxString& aFullFilename )
 {
     return m_Image->ReadImageFile( aFullFilename );

eeschema/sch_bitmap.h

@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ public:
         delete m_Image;
     }
 
+    SCH_ITEM& operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem );
 
     /*
      * Accessors:

eeschema/sch_bus_entry.cpp

@@ -61,15 +61,6 @@ SCH_BUS_ENTRY::SCH_BUS_ENTRY( const wxPoint& pos, int shape, int id ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_BUS_ENTRY::SCH_BUS_ENTRY( const SCH_BUS_ENTRY& aBusEntry ) :
-    SCH_ITEM( aBusEntry )
-{
-    m_pos = aBusEntry.m_pos;
-    m_size = aBusEntry.m_size;
-    m_width = aBusEntry.m_width;
-}
-
-
 EDA_ITEM* SCH_BUS_ENTRY::doClone() const
 {
     return new SCH_BUS_ENTRY( *this );

eeschema/sch_bus_entry.h

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class SCH_BUS_ENTRY : public SCH_ITEM
 public:
     SCH_BUS_ENTRY( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ), int shape = '\\', int id = WIRE_TO_BUS );
 
-    SCH_BUS_ENTRY( const SCH_BUS_ENTRY& aBusEntry );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_BUS_ENTRY() { }
 

eeschema/sch_component.cpp

@@ -1780,6 +1780,37 @@ bool SCH_COMPONENT::operator <( const SCH_ITEM& aItem ) const
 }
 
 
+SCH_ITEM& SCH_COMPONENT::operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem )
+{
+    wxCHECK_MSG( Type() == aItem.Type(), *this,
+                 wxT( "Cannot assign object type " ) + aItem.GetClass() + wxT( " to type " ) +
+                 GetClass() );
+
+    if( &aItem != this )
+    {
+        SCH_ITEM::operator=( aItem );
+
+        SCH_COMPONENT* component = (SCH_COMPONENT*) &aItem;
+        m_ChipName = component->m_ChipName;
+        m_Pos = component->m_Pos;
+        m_unit = component->m_unit;
+        m_convert = component->m_convert;
+        m_transform = component->m_transform;
+        m_PathsAndReferences = component->m_PathsAndReferences;
+
+        m_Fields = component->m_Fields;    // std::vector's assignment operator.
+
+        // Reparent fields after assignment to new component.
+        for( int ii = 0; ii < GetFieldCount();  ++ii )
+        {
+            GetField( ii )->SetParent( this );
+        }
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
 bool SCH_COMPONENT::doHitTest( const wxPoint& aPoint, int aAccuracy ) const
 {
     EDA_RECT bBox = GetBodyBoundingBox();

eeschema/sch_component.h

@@ -401,6 +401,8 @@ public:
 
     virtual bool operator <( const SCH_ITEM& aItem ) const;
 
+    SCH_ITEM& operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem );
+
     /**
      * @copydoc EDA_ITEM::IsReplaceable()
      */

eeschema/sch_field.cpp

@@ -80,15 +80,6 @@ SCH_FIELD::SCH_FIELD( const wxPoint& aPos, int aFieldId, SCH_COMPONENT* aParent,
 }
 
 
-SCH_FIELD::SCH_FIELD( const SCH_FIELD& aField ) :
-    SCH_ITEM( aField ),
-    EDA_TEXT( aField )
-{
-    m_id = aField.m_id;
-    m_name = aField.m_name;
-}
-
-
 SCH_FIELD::~SCH_FIELD()
 {
 }

eeschema/sch_field.h

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class LIB_FIELD;
  * <li>Field 1 is reserved for the component value.</li>
  * <li>Field 2 is reserved for the component footprint.</li>
  * <li>Field 3 is reserved for the component data sheet file.</li>
- * <li>Fields 4 and higher are user defineable.</li></ul>
+ * <li>Field 4 and higher are user defineable.</li></ul>
  */
 
 class SCH_FIELD : public SCH_ITEM, public EDA_TEXT
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ public:
     SCH_FIELD( const wxPoint& aPos, int aFieldId, SCH_COMPONENT* aParent,
                wxString aName = wxEmptyString );
 
-    SCH_FIELD( const SCH_FIELD& aField );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_FIELD();
 

eeschema/sch_junction.cpp

@@ -53,14 +53,6 @@ SCH_JUNCTION::SCH_JUNCTION( const wxPoint& pos ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_JUNCTION::SCH_JUNCTION( const SCH_JUNCTION& aJunction ) :
-    SCH_ITEM( aJunction )
-{
-    m_pos = aJunction.m_pos;
-    m_size = aJunction.m_size;
-}
-
-
 bool SCH_JUNCTION::Save( FILE* aFile ) const
 {
     bool success = true;

eeschema/sch_junction.h

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class SCH_JUNCTION : public SCH_ITEM
 public:
     SCH_JUNCTION( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ) );
 
-    SCH_JUNCTION( const SCH_JUNCTION& aJunction );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_JUNCTION() { }
 

eeschema/sch_line.h

@@ -49,7 +49,9 @@ class SCH_LINE : public SCH_ITEM
 
 public:
     SCH_LINE( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ), int layer = LAYER_NOTES );
+
     SCH_LINE( const SCH_LINE& aLine );
+
     ~SCH_LINE() { }
 
     SCH_LINE* Next() const { return (SCH_LINE*) Pnext; }

eeschema/sch_marker.cpp

@@ -43,13 +43,6 @@ SCH_MARKER::SCH_MARKER( const wxPoint& pos, const wxString& text ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_MARKER::SCH_MARKER( const SCH_MARKER& aMarker ) :
-    SCH_ITEM( aMarker ),
-    MARKER_BASE( aMarker )
-{
-}
-
-
 SCH_MARKER::~SCH_MARKER()
 {
 }

eeschema/sch_marker.h

@@ -55,8 +55,11 @@ class SCH_MARKER : public SCH_ITEM, public MARKER_BASE
 {
 public:
     SCH_MARKER();
+
     SCH_MARKER( const wxPoint& aPos, const wxString& aText );
-    SCH_MARKER( const SCH_MARKER& aMarker );
+
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
+
     ~SCH_MARKER();
 
     virtual wxString GetClass() const

eeschema/sch_no_connect.cpp

@@ -55,14 +55,6 @@ SCH_NO_CONNECT::SCH_NO_CONNECT( const wxPoint& pos ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_NO_CONNECT::SCH_NO_CONNECT( const SCH_NO_CONNECT& aNoConnect ) :
-    SCH_ITEM( aNoConnect )
-{
-    m_pos = aNoConnect.m_pos;
-    m_size = aNoConnect.m_size;
-}
-
-
 EDA_ITEM* SCH_NO_CONNECT::doClone() const
 {
     return new SCH_NO_CONNECT( *this );

eeschema/sch_no_connect.h

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class SCH_NO_CONNECT : public SCH_ITEM
 public:
     SCH_NO_CONNECT( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ) );
 
-    SCH_NO_CONNECT( const SCH_NO_CONNECT& aNoConnect );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_NO_CONNECT() { }
 

eeschema/sch_polyline.cpp

@@ -60,14 +60,6 @@ SCH_POLYLINE::SCH_POLYLINE( int layer ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_POLYLINE::SCH_POLYLINE( const SCH_POLYLINE& aPolyLine ) :
-    SCH_ITEM( aPolyLine )
-{
-    m_width = aPolyLine.m_width;
-    m_points = aPolyLine.m_points;
-}
-
-
 SCH_POLYLINE::~SCH_POLYLINE()
 {
 }

eeschema/sch_polyline.h

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class SCH_POLYLINE : public SCH_ITEM
 public:
     SCH_POLYLINE( int layer = LAYER_NOTES );
 
-    SCH_POLYLINE( const SCH_POLYLINE& aPolyLine );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_POLYLINE();
 

eeschema/sch_sheet.cpp

@@ -1181,6 +1181,39 @@ void SCH_SHEET::doPlot( PLOTTER* aPlotter )
 }
 
 
+SCH_ITEM& SCH_SHEET::operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem )
+{
+    wxLogDebug( wxT( "Sheet assignment operator." ) );
+
+    wxCHECK_MSG( Type() == aItem.Type(), *this,
+                 wxT( "Cannot assign object type " ) + aItem.GetClass() + wxT( " to type " ) +
+                 GetClass() );
+
+    if( &aItem != this )
+    {
+        SCH_ITEM::operator=( aItem );
+
+        SCH_SHEET* sheet = (SCH_SHEET*) &aItem;
+
+        m_pos = sheet->m_pos;
+        m_size = sheet->m_size;
+        m_name = sheet->m_name;
+        m_sheetNameSize = sheet->m_sheetNameSize;
+        m_fileNameSize = sheet->m_fileNameSize;
+        m_pins = sheet->m_pins;
+
+        // Ensure sheet labels have their #m_Parent member pointing really on their
+        // parent, after assigning.
+        BOOST_FOREACH( SCH_SHEET_PIN& sheetPin, m_pins )
+        {
+            sheetPin.SetParent( this );
+        }
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
 #if defined(DEBUG)
 
 void SCH_SHEET::Show( int nestLevel, std::ostream& os ) const

eeschema/sch_sheet.h

@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ public:
                    const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ),
                    const wxString& text = wxEmptyString );
 
-    SCH_SHEET_PIN( const SCH_SHEET_PIN& aSheetLabel );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_SHEET_PIN() { }
 
@@ -273,6 +273,11 @@ class SCH_SHEET : public SCH_ITEM
 public:
     SCH_SHEET( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ) );
 
+    /**
+     * Copy Constructor
+     * clones \a aSheet into a new object.  All sheet pins are copied as is except and
+     * the SCH_SHEET_PIN's #m_Parent pointers are set to the new copied parent object.
+     */
     SCH_SHEET( const SCH_SHEET& aSheet );
 
     ~SCH_SHEET();
@@ -625,6 +630,8 @@ public:
     virtual void GetNetListItem( vector<NETLIST_OBJECT*>& aNetListItems,
                                  SCH_SHEET_PATH*          aSheetPath );
 
+    SCH_ITEM& operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aSheet );
+
 #if defined(DEBUG)
     void Show( int nestLevel, std::ostream& os ) const;     // override
 #endif

eeschema/sch_sheet_pin.cpp

@@ -62,14 +62,6 @@ SCH_SHEET_PIN::SCH_SHEET_PIN( SCH_SHEET* parent, const wxPoint& pos, const wxStr
 }
 
 
-SCH_SHEET_PIN::SCH_SHEET_PIN( const SCH_SHEET_PIN& aSheetLabel ) :
-    SCH_HIERLABEL( aSheetLabel )
-{
-    m_number = aSheetLabel.m_number;
-    m_edge = aSheetLabel.m_edge;
-}
-
-
 EDA_ITEM* SCH_SHEET_PIN::doClone() const
 {
     return new SCH_SHEET_PIN( *this );

eeschema/sch_text.cpp

@@ -759,12 +759,6 @@ SCH_LABEL::SCH_LABEL( const wxPoint& pos, const wxString& text ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_LABEL::SCH_LABEL( const SCH_LABEL& aLabel ) :
-    SCH_TEXT( aLabel )
-{
-}
-
-
 EDA_ITEM* SCH_LABEL::doClone() const
 {
     return new SCH_LABEL( *this );
@@ -967,12 +961,6 @@ SCH_GLOBALLABEL::SCH_GLOBALLABEL( const wxPoint& pos, const wxString& text ) :
 }
 
 
-SCH_GLOBALLABEL::SCH_GLOBALLABEL( const SCH_GLOBALLABEL& aGlobalLabel ) :
-    SCH_TEXT( aGlobalLabel )
-{
-}
-
-
 EDA_ITEM* SCH_GLOBALLABEL::doClone() const
 {
     return new SCH_GLOBALLABEL( *this );
@@ -1402,12 +1390,6 @@ SCH_HIERLABEL::SCH_HIERLABEL( const wxPoint& pos, const wxString& text, KICAD_T
 }
 
 
-SCH_HIERLABEL::SCH_HIERLABEL( const SCH_HIERLABEL& aHierLabel ) :
-    SCH_TEXT( aHierLabel )
-{
-}
-
-
 EDA_ITEM* SCH_HIERLABEL::doClone() const
 {
     return new SCH_HIERLABEL( *this );

eeschema/sch_text.h

@@ -79,6 +79,13 @@ public:
               const wxString& text = wxEmptyString,
               KICAD_T aType = SCH_TEXT_T );
 
+    /**
+     * Copy Constructor
+     * clones \a aText into a new object.  All members are copied as is except
+     * for the #m_isDangling member which is set to false.  This prevents newly
+     * copied objects derived from #SCH_TEXT from having their connection state
+     * improperly set.
+     */
     SCH_TEXT( const SCH_TEXT& aText );
 
     ~SCH_TEXT() { }
@@ -257,7 +264,7 @@ class SCH_LABEL : public SCH_TEXT
 public:
     SCH_LABEL( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ), const wxString& text = wxEmptyString );
 
-    SCH_LABEL( const SCH_LABEL& aLabel );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_LABEL() { }
 
@@ -352,7 +359,7 @@ class SCH_GLOBALLABEL : public SCH_TEXT
 public:
     SCH_GLOBALLABEL( const wxPoint& pos = wxPoint( 0, 0 ), const wxString& text = wxEmptyString );
 
-    SCH_GLOBALLABEL( const SCH_GLOBALLABEL& aGlobalLabel );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_GLOBALLABEL() { }
 
@@ -458,7 +465,7 @@ public:
                    const wxString& text = wxEmptyString,
                    KICAD_T aType = SCH_HIERARCHICAL_LABEL_T );
 
-    SCH_HIERLABEL( const SCH_HIERLABEL& aHierLabel );
+    // Do not create a copy constructor.  The one generated by the compiler is adequate.
 
     ~SCH_HIERLABEL() { }
 

include/base_struct.h

@@ -698,6 +698,15 @@ public:
      */
     static bool Sort( const EDA_ITEM* aLeft, const EDA_ITEM* aRight ) { return *aLeft < *aRight; }
 
+    /**
+     * Operator assignment
+     * is used to assign the members of \a aItem to another object.
+     *
+     * @warning This is still a work in progress and not ready for prime time.  Do not use
+     *          as there is a known issue with wxString buffers.
+     */
+    virtual EDA_ITEM& operator=( const EDA_ITEM& aItem );
+
 #if defined(DEBUG)
 
     /**

include/sch_item_struct.h

@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ public:
     SCH_ITEM* Clone() const { return ( SCH_ITEM* ) EDA_ITEM::Clone(); }
 
     /**
-     * Function SwapDate
+     * Function SwapData
      * swap the internal data structures \a aItem with the schematic item.
      * Obviously, aItem must have the same type than me
      * @param aItem The item to swap the data structures with.
@@ -352,6 +352,8 @@ public:
 
     virtual bool operator <( const SCH_ITEM& aItem ) const;
 
+    virtual SCH_ITEM& operator=( const SCH_ITEM& aItem );
+
     /**
      * @note - The DoXXX() functions below are used to enforce the interface while retaining
      *         the ability of change the implementation behavior of derived classes.  See