Using functions within functions - c++

Question

Below is a piece of code I was trying to run where I have function I want to run (dN) within my main function which returns a value of type complex<double>.
#include <iostream>
#include <complex>
#include <cmath>
using namespace std;
const complex<double> Im1(0.0,1.0); //imaginary number definition
class Functions{
public:
complex<double> dN(complex<double> **N, int k, int i, complex<double> kN, double T1){
complex<double> OUT = Im1*(N[k][i]+kN)/(T1);
return OUT;
};
};
int main(int argc, const char * argv[]) {
//...more code here
complex<int> **NM = new complex<int>*[1000]; //1000x500 array
//run loop to initialize
for (int i = 0; i < 1000; ++i)
{
NM[i] = new complex<int>[500];
}
complex<double> dN_OUT = Functions::dN(**NM,1,20,0.,20.);
return 0;
};
Although this code does not run and returns the error: Call to non-static member function without an object argument
Based on my understanding, C++ does not allow nested functions and my code above would not work because I call a separate function in my main function. Although (based on the link) it does appear one can implement "local classes" by defining a function within a struct which would have to be inside the main function. Although when I try doing that:
int main(int argc, const char * argv[]) {
complex<int> **NM = new complex<int>*[1000]; //1000x500 array
//run loop to initialize
for (int i = 0; i < 1000; ++i)
{
NM[i] = new complex<int>[500];
}
struct Functions{
complex<double> dN(complex<double> **N, int k, int i, complex<double> kN, double T1){
complex<double> OUT = Im1*(N[k][i]+kN)/(T1);
return OUT;
};
};
complex<double> dN_OUT = Functions::dN(**NM,1,20,0.,20.);
return 0;
};
the error persists. Ultimately, I am simply wanting to use the function dN that returns output of type complex<double> within my main function, but am unsure of the best/operational way to implement this.

Answer 1

I believe you misunderstand what a nested function is.
A nested function would look like this:
int main()
{
void nested() {} // not allowed in C++
}
The solution to your problem is in the error message provided by your compiler:
Call to non-static member function without an object argument
Take a look at the following:
// Example 1
struct Functions {
void func() {}
};
int main()
{
// to call Functions::func() you would need to have an object
// of type Functions because Functions::func() is not a static function
Functions f;
f.func();
}
// Example 2
// by making func() static you can call it without an object:
struct Functions {
static void func() {}
};
int main()
{
Functions::func(); // OK
}

Answer 2

Ultimately, I am simply wanting to use the function dN that returns output of type complex within my main function, but am unsure of the best/operational way to implement this.
Use a free function, like main is, unless dN has a specific reason to be part of a class:
complex<double> dN(complex<double> **N, int k, int i, complex<double> kN, double T1)
{
...
}
int main(int argc, const char * argv[]) {
...
//like this
complex<double> dN_OUT = dN(NM,1,20,0.,20.);
//not like this
//complex<double> dN_OUT = dN(**NM,1,20,0.,20.);
}

Answer 3

Option 1:
You can do this with class like below
#include <iostream>
#include <complex>
#include <cmath>
using namespace std;
const complex<double> Im1 (0.0, 1.0); //imaginary number definition
class Functions {
public:
complex<double> dN (complex<double> **N, int k, int i, complex<double> kN, double T1)
{
complex<double> OUT = Im1*(N[k][i] + kN) / (T1);
return OUT;
};
};
int main (int argc, const char * argv[]) {
//...more code here
complex<double> **NM = new complex<double>*[1000]; //1000x500 array
//run loop to initialize
for (int i = 0; i < 1000; ++i)
{
NM[i] = new complex<double>[500];
}
Functions fun; //create class instance
//call the function NOTE the changes here i.e not correct passing **NM
complex<double> dN_OUT = fun.dN (NM, 1, 20, 0., 20.);
return 0;
};
Option 2 (mentioned by others direct calling with changes instead of **NM you should use NM.
complex<double> dN(complex<double> **N, int k, int i, complex<double> kN, double T1){
...
}
int main(int argc, const char * argv[]) {
...
complex<double> dN_OUT = dN(NM,1,20,0.,20.);
}