Why can't I include my header file in another file? - c++

Why I can't use my custom header file?
The IDE marks the include as unused. In C++ I have very mediocre knowledge. Perhaps I misunderstand something and incorrectly implement the .h and .cpp files.
There is a header file describing the structure of the mgportfolio.h class:
class LIBMGPORTFOLIO_EXPORT MgPortfolio : IComponent
{
public:
MgPortfolio();
explicit MgPortfolio();
~MgPortfolio();
void accept(IVisitor& visitor) override;
private:
//std::string m_portfolioFilePath;
//std::string m_portfolioName;
//std::string m_owner;
};
Next, I want to implement a pattern "visitor" for some of my logic.
I add one more header file visitor.h:
#pragma once
#include "portfoliooption.h"
#include "playlistitem.h"
#include "archiveddata.h"
#include "mgportfolio.h" //Ide underlines this header file as unused. Although in the first visit() method I use the object from this file.
namespace mg
{
class IVisitor
{
public:
virtual ~IVisitor() = default;
virtual void visit(MgPortfolio& portfolio) const; //here the ide suggests including #include "mgportfolio.h" but I already did that above.
virtual void visit(PortfolioOption& portfolioOption) const; //here and below the header file is connected without problems
virtual void visit(PlaylistItem& playlistItem) const;
virtual void visit(ArchivedData& archivedData) const;
};
class IComponent
{
public:
virtual ~IComponent() = default;
virtual void accept(IVisitor& visitor) = 0;
};
}
The PortfolioOption, PlaylistItem, ArchivedData classes differ from MgPortfolio only in that they do not have an implementation in .cpp files. As soon as I add the implementation, the same error appears as with MgPortfolio.What could be my problem?

Why can't I include my header file in another file?
You can include a file in another.
The IDE marks the include as unused.
The tool seems to be warning you that you are including a file unnecessarily. You should avoid doing that.
Although in the first visit() method I use the object from this file.
You don't need to include the definition of MgPortfolio to do that. A declaration is sufficient:
class MgPortfolio;
the same error appears
"Is unused" is generally not an error, but a warning.

Related

Multiple definition of base class constructor?

I'm creating some classes to encapsulate socket IO. I've created a base class to abstract out common data (file descriptors, port #s, etc) and functionality (most of the initialization). I have code that looks like this -
base.hpp
class Base {
protected:
Base(int port);
~Base();
// common data
};
Also here I have the implementations of the constructor and destructor
client.hpp
#include base.hpp
class Client : private Base {
// constructor and other required code
}
testclient.cpp
#include "client.cpp"
int main() {
Client c (ip, port);
... more stuff
return 0;
}
I also have the implementation of the client class in client.cpp, and its constructor calls the base constructor appropriately. I also have correct and unique header guards. However, when linking client.o with testclient, I get linker errors citing multiple definitions of the Base constructor and destructor. What am I doing wrong? I would include the code, but it is quite long and I am convinced my error is due to some #include/linking magic.
If the functions are implemented in the header file you have to declare the definitions of the functions with inline to prevent having multiple definitions of the functions.
To fix the errors put inline in front of the implementations. For example for the constructor of Base do
inline Base::Base(int port)
^^^^^^ Difference here
{
// Implementation
}
You can also have the implementation of the methods in the class as well.
inline informs the compiler that the function can be compiled in multiple .cpp files (functions declared inside the class definition are implicitly declared inline.) If the function is not declared as inline it is exported from each .cpp file. When the linker comes along, after the program is compiled, there is a definition of the function in each .cpp file that included the header. This causes the linker to give an error.
Option 1:
In your header file client.hpp:
class Base {
protected:
Base(int port) {
...
}
~Base() {
...
}
};
Option 2:
In your header file client.hpp:
class Base {
protected:
Base(int port);
~Base();
};
And in your source file client.cpp:
Base::Base(int port) {
...
}
Base::~Base() {
...
}
#include base.hpp should be this #include "base.hpp"
or #include "base.h"

C++ Method declaration using another class

I'm starting to learn C++ (coming from Java), so bear with me.
I can't seem to get my method declaration to accept a class I've made.
'Context' has not been declared
I think I'm not understanding a fundamental concept, but I don't know what.
Expression.h
#include "Context.h"
class Expression {
public:
void interpret(Context *); // This line has the error
Expression();
virtual ~Expression();
};
Context.h
#include <stack>
#include <vector>
#include "Expression.h"
class Context {
private:
std::stack<Expression*,std::vector<Expression*> > theStack;
public:
Context();
virtual ~Context();
};
You have to forward declare Expression in Context or vice versa (or both), otherwise you have a cyclic dependency. For example,
Expression.h:
class Context; // no include, we only have Context*.
class Expression {
public:
void interpret(Context *); // This line has the error
Expression();
virtual ~Expression();
};
Context.h:
#include <stack>
#include <vector>
class Expression; // No include, we only have Expression*
class Context {
private:
std::stack<Expression*,std::vector<Expression*> > theStack;
public:
Context();
virtual ~Context();
};
You can perform the forward declarations because the full definition of the classes isn't needed, since you are only referring to pointers to the other class in each case. It is likely that you will need the includes in the implementation files (that is, #include "Context.h" in Expression.cpp and #include Expression.h in Context.cpp).
Finally, remember to put include guards in your header files.
In C++, class definitions always have to end with a semi-colon ;
so example:
class foo {};
Java and C# doesn't require that, so I can see your confusion.
Also it looks like both your header files include each other. Thus it's kind of like a snake eating it's tail: Where does it start? Thus in your Expression.h you can replace the 'include' with a forward declaration instead:
class Context;
class Expression {
public:
void interpret(Context *); // This line has the error
Expression();
virtual ~Expression();
}
And last but not least, you should put a compiler guard to prevent the header from getting included more than once into a .cpp file. You can put a #pragma once in the top of the header file. That is useful if you are using visual studio and the microsoft compiler. I don't know if GCC supports it or not. Or you can wrap your header file like this:
#ifndef EXPRESSION_H_
#define EXPRESSION_H_
class Context;
class Expression {
public:
void interpret(Context *); // This line has the error
Expression();
virtual ~Expression();
}
#endif
you might need to forward declare the classes Context and Expression in the header files before the #include
e.g.
#include <stack>
#include <vector>
// forward declaration
class Context;
class Expression;
#include "Expression.h"
class Context {
private:
std::stack<Expression*,std::vector<Expression*> > theStack;
public:
Context();
virtual ~Context();
}

Base class undefined

I know it is one of the constant ask question
so i get this error
'WorldObject': [Base class undefined (translated from german)]
Here is the code which produce this error:
ProjectilObject.h:
#pragma once
#ifndef _PROJECTILOBJECT_H_
#define _PROJECTILOBJECT_H_
#include "GameObjects.h"
class ProjectilObject: public WorldObject
{
public:
ProjectilObject(IGameObject* parent,int projectiltype);
void deleteyourself();
protected:
virtual void VProcEvent( long hashvalue, std::stringstream &stream);
virtual void VInit();
virtual void VInitfromStream( std::stringstream &stream );
virtual void VonUpdate();
virtual void VonRender();
private:
vec3 vel;
float lifetime;
float lifetimeend;
vec3 target;
int m_projectiltype;
};
#endif
Here is the code file from the WorldObject class:
GameObjects.h:
#pragma once
#ifndef _GAMEONJECTCODE_H_
#define _GAMEONJECTCODE_H_
#include "IGameObject.h"
#include "Sprite.h"
#include "GamePath.h"
#include "HashedString/String.h"
#include "IAttribute.h"
#include "CharacterObjects.h"
#include "ProjectilObject.h"
[...]
class WorldObject: public IGameObject, public MRenderAble
{
public:
WorldObject(IGameObject* parent);
virtual bool IsDestroyAble();
virtual bool IsMageAble();
virtual bool IsRenderAble();
protected:
virtual void VProcEvent( long hashvalue, std::stringstream &stream);
virtual void VonUpdate();
virtual void VonRender();
virtual void VInit() =0;
virtual void VInitfromStream( std::stringstream &stream ) =0;
virtual void VSerialize( std::stringstream &stream );
vec3 poscam;
};
[...]
#endif
There are some other Classes in this file but they shouldn't interrupt, I think.
Maybe there is a tiny error I didn't saw but I don't understand why this error is produced. When you need more of the code feel free to ask because i think it would only disturb.
If you have any source file that includes GameObjects.h before ProjectilObject.h or does not include ProjectilObject.h directly, then the compiler will first find the declaration of ProjectilObject through the include in GameObjects.h before knowing what WorldObject is. That is because GameObjects.h first includes ProjectilObject.h and then declares WorldObject. In that case the include of GameObjects.h present in ProjectilObject.h won't work because _GAMEONJECTCODE_H_ will be already defined.
To avoid this, either be sure to include ProjectilObject.h instead of GameObjects.h in your source file, or use forward declarations.
It's hard to answer this question without looking at the whole code. Even a misplaced brace could count. Check your namespaces - are you sure the WorldObject is in the same namespace?
I suggest you use the #pragma message by placing it near the WorldObject definition and checking the compiler output:
#pragma message ("World object is defined")
If it does not show up, move the pragma to the parent .h file and check the compiler output again. With this you can easily locate the error.
class WorldObject;
class ProjectilObject: public WorldObject
You are forward declaring WorldObject, but to inherit from a class you need the definition, so you have to include the header of WorldObject.
In my case: i delete derived class include from base class header file.
for example:
file 1 :
#include "B.h"
-> A()
file 2:
-> B() : A()
solution : delete #include "B.h" from file1

multiple declaration error- virtual functions

I have observer.h , client.h and field.h files.
In observer.h there is Subject class which has
// observer.h
class Subject {
public:
virtual ~Subject(){};
Subject(){};
virtual void Attach(Observer*);
virtual void Detach(Observer*);
virtual void Notify(bool _value);
virtual bool getCheckedIn(){};
private:
vector < Observer* > _observers;
};
#ifndef CLIENT_H
#define CLIENT_H
#include "Field.h"
class Client : public Subject {
public:
Client(string _name, Field *_field) : client_name(_name) ,field(_field) , checked_in(false) {}
void setCheckedIn(bool _value){
checked_in = _value;
Notify(_value);
}
void enterRow(string _row_name){
field->deneme();
setCheckedIn(true);
}
bool getCheckedIn(){ return checked_in;}
private:
bool checked_in;
string client_name;
Field *field;
};
#endif // CLIENT_H
#ifndef Field_H
#define Field_H
#include "CreateRow_absFac.h"
#include "observer_pattern.h"
#include <vector>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
// Template Class
class Field{
public:
Field();
// Template method
void field_creator();
virtual void setAbstractRow() = 0;
protected:
FarmFactory *abstract_row1;
FarmFactory *abstract_row2;
FarmFactory *abstract_row3;
Rows *row1 ;
Rows *row2 ;
Rows *row3 ;
Sensor sensor1;
};
When compiled , got this error :
ld: duplicate symbol Subject::Notify(bool) in /Users/barisatamer/Desktop/se311/PROJECT/build/PROJECT.build/Debug/PROJECT.build/Objects-normal/x86_64/Field.o and /Users/barisatamer/Desktop/se311/PROJECT/build/PROJECT.build/Debug/PROJECT.build/Objects-normal/x86_64/main.o
If I remove virtual functions it compiles without error. What is the problem with virtual functions ?
We can't actually see it here, but the problem is probably that you defined Subject::notify(bool) in a header file (your observer.h just declares it, it doesn't define it) and you included that header file in both Field.cpp and main.cpp, so you get multiple definitions. The fix is to move the definition into a source file so its only defined once.
General rule -- DECLARE things in header files, DEFINE them in non-header source files. Note that include guards are irrelevant here -- they prevent something being declared multiple times in a single compilation unit, but what's needed is to avoid defining something multiple times in different compilation units.
Try keeping header guards even for your observer.h. BTW, Why aren't you overriding virtual functions in the derived class ?
Apparently you have an ODR violation. Why did you get away with non-virtual functions? Possibly because you defined them inline (e.g. in class). As it was suggested, check the include guards and function definitions.

interfaces, inheritance, and what between them

if i want to have 3 classes, which have common fields (and i want them to be static)
and they have a common function (which needed to be overridden, i.e virtual)
what the best design to do this?
do i need to create an interface in a header file
and then create it's .cpp file and get the 3 classes inheritance from it?
what about the static members?
can i declare them in the header file?
when creating header file which representing interface, do i have to create it's .cpp file?
Declare the classes in header files.
This is so that the declaration can be shared between multiple source files (with #include) and thus obey the (One definition rule).
It is traditional (though not required) that each class has its own file. To make it consistent and easy to find things you should name the file after the class. So Class A should be declared in A.h and defined in A.cpp.
MyInterface.h
class MyInterface
{
protected:
static int X;
static int Y;
static int Z;
public:
// If a class contains virtual functions then you should declare a vritual destructor.
// The compiler will warn you if you don't BUT it will not require it.
virtual ~MyInterface() {} // Here I have declared and defined the destructor in
// at the same time. It is common to put very simplistic
// definitions in the header file. But for clarity more
// complex definitions go in the header file. C++ programers
// dislike the Java everything in one file thing because it
// becomes hard to see the interface without looking at the
// documentaiton. By keeping only the declarations in the
// header it is very easy to read the interface.
virtual int doSomthing(int value) = 0; // Pure virtual
// Must be overridden in derived
};
A.h
#include "MyInterface.h"
class A: public MyInterface
{
public:
virtual int doSomthing(int value);
};
B.h
#include "MyInterface.h"
class B: public MyInterface
{
public:
virtual int doSomthing(int value);
};
C.h
#include "MyInterface.h"
class C: public MyInterface
{
public:
virtual int doSomthing(int value);
};
Now you define the implementation in the source files:
MyInterface.cpp
#include "MyInterface.h"
// Static members need a definition in a source file.
// This is the one copy that will be accessed. The header file just had the declaration.
int MyInterface::X = 5;
int MyInterface::Y = 6;
int MyInterface::Z = 7;
A.cpp
#include "A.h"
// Define all the methods of A in this file.
int A::doSomthing(int value)
{
// STUFF
}
B.cpp
#include "B.h"
int B::doSomthing(int value)
{
// STUFF
}
C.cpp
#include "C.h"
int C::doSomthing(int value)
{
// STUFF
}
There is no explicit "interface" thing in the C++ language.
If you'd like to have an interface-like class, that's a class with pure virtual methods (that is a method w/o definition, e.g. virtual void printme() = 0;).
Static variables are bound to object files (internal linkage). If you define them in your header file and include that header file into several cpp files, you'll end up having several definitions of that static variable (in different object files)
Since static variables are either global or part of a class, they cannot be 'common'. They belong to one class and may be accessed by another one.
Same goes for methods. One class has a method, another one may call it. If it's a derived class, it may also override it (that is either hide it or implement a virtual method).
Now, if you have three classes that have the same structure, you may (or may not) like to inherit them from a base class for several reasons. One is to avoid copying code. Another one is the main reason, that you may want to treat objects from the derived classes all the same, let's say you have a vehicle that you can use, but the vehicle may be a car, a bike or a plane. You want to use a vehicle, but don't mind which vehicle it actually is, so you create
class Vehicle
{
public:
virtual void use() = 0;
};
class Car
: public Vehicle
{
public:
virtual void use();
};
void Car::use()
{
// drive the car
}
Than you can use a Car as vehicle, for example
Car myCar;
Vehicle& myVehicle = static_cast< Vehicle& >(myCar);
myVehicle.use(); // drive the car.
That all is fundamental C++ OOP, look it up in some book.