//Compares the member item to a new item. //returns -1 new item is earlier than the current item, 0 if they are the same // and 1 if new item is later than current item. int Item::id_compare(ItemPtr newItem){ string current = getName(); string new_id = newItem->getName(); if ( current.compare(new_id) < 0){ //if new is lower than current return 1; } else if(current.compare(new_id) == 0){ // if new is the same as current return 0; } else { //if new is higher than current return -1; } }