How to align C++ class member names in one column in emacs?

Question

I would like to align all C++ class member names ( do not confuse with member types ) in one column.

Lets look at the example of what we have at entrance:

class Foo
{
public:
    void   method1( );
    int                  method2( ); 
    const Bar *        method3( ) const; 
protected:
    float    m_member;
};

and this is what we would like to have at the end:

class Foo
{
public:
    void           method1( );
    int            method2( ); 
    const Bar *    method3( ) const; 
protected:
    float          m_member;
};

So the longest member type declaration defines the column to which class member names will be aligned. How can i perform such transformation in emacs ?

Nuno

You could use align-regexp with some funky stuff to sort of achieve the effect but I agree with Neil. – Calvincalvina

What happens when Jimmy on your team adds a new method that returns a const Thingummyjiggle*? Should he edit every other line in your header file? – Syl

Neil: It is hard to discuss about one's preferences :) I personally think that this form of class memeber formatting is nice and elegant. It also helps to you to read member methods faster without straining your eye muscles too much. – Nuno

Noufal: Thx for the tip. I will check that out. – Nuno

Johnsyweb: Basicly yes, whole file or at least part of it ( public section, group of similar methods ) should be parsed to meet the formatting standard. What I want is to be able to select some part of the class and format it according to above description. – Nuno

Surprisingly unhelpful comment, Neil. – Kiernan

Answer 1

Select the region with the method declarations

M-x align-regexp

Enter the string [^ ]+\((\|;\) and press Enter

Edited to add the ; in the matching, which aligns the member variable as well.

Whittling

I added the semicolon which aligns the member variable as well. – Dwaindwaine

and @Tray, your merged solution solves the posted problem. Thank you both :) – Nuno