I'm just starting to teach C++, coming from some other languages. I am wishing there were some way to consistently check the API created by a (student) file.
Suppose a student submits this file:
// this is stu.cpp
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
double x(int y) {return y+0.5;}
Actually, suppose I asked the student to define some other function int x(int). I would like to be able to check this by running this code:
// this is stu.h
int x(int);
// this is gra.cpp
#include "stu.h"
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << x(0); // test their code
}
So I am trying to see if the student's implementation matched the required interface, and testing it on input 0. I would have hoped this would not compile. But when I do
g++ -Wall -Wconversion *.cpp -o gra
./gra
It compiles and runs without crashing, giving output 0. This remains true even if I compile the two files separately and link them after.
I know that nm doesn't list return types. Is that the same reason that we can link together two files when the return values don't match? Is there any sane way to test this? (Like are there compile-time typeof assertions?)
Or is this a specific bug because of int and double being interconvertible? Are there additionall compiler options that could catch this?
Instead of compiling the student's code separately, why don't you just include it directly in your tester program?
int x(int);
#include <stu.cpp>
Then you should get a nice error like this:
a.cpp:2:8: error: functions that differ only in their return type cannot be overloaded
While this is not the "normal" way to compile a student's code, it guarantees that the code can be checked.
Alternatively, you may use a compiler command-line option like -include (GCC, Clang) to force the compiler to include a header file containing your desired API when compiling the student's C++ file. As an example:
api.h
int x(int);
compile with g++ stu.cpp -include api.h, and the appropriate error will be raised.
You can do the following:
// this is gra.cpp
#include "stu.h"
#include "stu.cpp"
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << x(0); // test their code
}
And compile only gra.cpp of course.
Related
I've been puzzled by this for a while. To test this out, I made a simple program that just creates a std::string variable and prints it out to the screen. However, it doesn't include <string.h>.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
string name = "Test";
cout << name << endl;
return 0;
}
What confuses me is that this program compiles and runs perfectly. Right now I'm using the clang compiler that came with the XCode Developer Tools. Is this intended behavior? I hope this question isn't too ridiculous since I just started learning C++.
The reason you do not need to include the #include <string.h> header file is because when you include the #include <iostream> header file it includes std::string.
However, do not rely on it. What may work on your compiler may not work on another. Always include the proper header files.
To edit your example this is how you should use it:
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main()
{
std::string name = "Test";
std::cout << name << std::endl;
return 0;
}
Also note: why you should not use using namespace std;.
Why does my program compile successfully if I don't include <string.h>?
Because you don't use any definition / declaration from <string.h>.
program compiles and runs perfectly ... Is this intended behavior?
It is incidental behaviour.
There are no guarantees that one standard header wouldn't include other standard headers. It just so happens that <iostream> included <string> in this particular version of the standard library. Since there is no guarantee for this, it would be a mistake to rely on such transitive inclusion.
So I was trying to access a method that is defined in another class and has the prototype in the header. I'm pretty positive I defined it but it keeps popping up undefined reference to SafeCracker.
Main.cpp
#include <iostream>
#include "mystuff.h"
using namespace std;
void BigDog(int KibblesCount);
int main()
{
cout << SafeCracker(1);
return 0;
}
mystuff.cpp
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
string SafeCracker(int SafeID)
{
return "123456";
}
mystuff.h
using namespace std;
#ifndef MYSTUFF_H_INCLUDED
#define MYSTUFF_H_INCLUDED
string SafeCracker(int SafeID);
#endif // MYSTUFF_H_INCLUDED
Here it tells you that you have an undefined reference, so you don't really have a problem with the prototype.
Had you forgotten to include the header file that contains the prototype you would have gotten something like
main.cpp: In function ‘int main()’:
main.cpp:8:13: error: ‘SafeCracker’ was not declared in this scope
cout << SafeCracker(1);
Your undefined reference is a linker error. The most likely cause would be that you did not use mystuff.cpp when compiling
If you're compiling from the command line, you should give both files as parameters.
If you're using an IDE that calls the compiler, make sure that the file is part of the project.
For example in Code::Blocks right-click on the file name and go "add to project" (If I remember correctly)
It is also possible that you made a typo in the function declaration in mystuff.cpp (that doesn't seem to be the case here though)
Now there is one important thing about your code you should take note of:
It is very bad practice to put a using namespace in a header file.
using namespace std; in a .cpp source file is mostly up to you, and that using statement will only apply to that particular file.
But if you put it in a header file that is meant to be included through #include , the using there will be forced upon any code that includes it.
Here is an example:
main.cpp
#include <iostream>
// including mystuff.h to use that awesome SafeCracker()
#include "mystuff.h"
// I need to use an std::map (basically an associative array)
#include <map>
// the map of my game
class map
{
int tiles[10][10];
};
int main()
{
// The std map I need to use
std::map<int, int> mymappedcontainer;
// The map of my game I need to use
map mytiles;
// The reason why I need to include mystuff.h
cout << SafeCracker(1);
return 0;
}
Normally, my class map should not be a problem since the map I included from the standard library is inside the namespace std, so to use it you would need to go std::map.
The problem here is that, since mystuff.h has using namespace std; in it, the symbol map is already used, and that creates a conflict.
You do not now who will use your header files, or if you will use them again a long time from now, and maybe then you will want to use name that is already used in the std namespace.
I advise you to use std:: before things taken from the standard libraries instead (std::string instead of just string for example)
PS: In C++, "class" refers to a class data structure, and the functions you made here are not part of any class. You should say "defined in another file" or "defined in another translation unit" instead
Trivial as it ought to be, I just cannot figure out how to separate my source code into different files.
My code compiles and executes just fine when it is written as a single source file:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class Greeter{
public:
void greet();
};
void Greeter::greet(){
cout << "Hello World!";
}
int main(){
Greeter greeter;
greeter.greet();
return 0;
}
But try as I might, separating the code into separate source files:
Greeter.h
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class Greeter{
public:
Greeter();
void greet();
};
Greeter.cxx
#include <iostream>
#include "Greeter.h"
using namespace std;
void Greeter::greet(){
cout << "Hello World!";
}
main.cxx
#include <iostream>
#include "Greeter.h"
using namespace std;
int main(){
Greeter greeter;
greeter.greet();
return 0;
}
always results in a compilation error:
main.cxx:(.text+0x16): undefined reference to `Greeter::Greeter()'
It is unclear whether the comments solved your problem. In separating your source into a header and multiple sources, your primary problem evidenced by the error is that you include an incomplete constructor for class Greeter in Greeter.h. Specifically, you fail to include "an empty parameter list" to complete the constructor, e.g.
Greeter() {}; /* default construct */
See cppreference - Default constructors
The next issue you should avoid is including using namespace std; in the header file. See “using namespace” in c++ headers. Instead, simply make your call to cout, std::cout and eliminate the need to include the namespace altogether.
Next, while iostream has proper header guards, you only need to include it in Greeter.cpp (that is the only source making use of an iostream function). You should also include header guards in your Greeter.h to prevent multiple inclusions during compilation. Simply create a #define and check whether or not that is already defined within the header, e.g.
greeter.h
#ifndef my_class_greeter_h
#define my_class_greeter_h 1
class Greeter {
public:
Greeter() {}; /* default construct */
void greet();
};
#endif
Now every file that includes greeter.h will avoid including it again if my_class_greeter_h is already defined.
greeter.cpp
Your source file with your class function definition is the only source that relies on an iostream call, and is the only file that requires #include <iostream>, e.g.
#include <iostream>
#include "greeter.h"
void Greeter::greet(){
std::cout << "Hello World!\n";
}
main.cpp
You main.cpp source file need only include your header containing the class definition, e.g.
#include "greeter.h"
int main (void) {
Greeter greeter; /* instantiate greeter */
greeter.greet(); /* call greet() */
return 0;
}
Both Sources Must Be Compiled
Compiling the separate source files requires that both main.cpp and greeter.cpp be compiled (either compiling greeter.cpp to object or by simply including both .cpp files in your compile string).
Compiling With gcc/clang
$ g++ -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -std=c++11 -Ofast -o main main.cpp greeter.cpp
Compiling With VS (cl.exe)
> cl /nologo /W3 /Ox /EHsc /Femain /TP main.cpp greeter.cpp
(do not accept code until it compiles without warning)
Example Use/Output
In either case, the output is as expected:
$ ./main
Hello World!
Look things over and let me know if you have further questions.
Hi I am just starting to learn C++. I bought this big C++ for Dummies book and have been going through it. Its been really interesting so far but now I am stuck. I have been googling this problem, but to no avail. I am using I am using codeblocks 10.05 with GNU GCC.
I keep getting an error that says:
In function 'main':
undefined reference to 'SafeCracker(int)'
The code isn't complicated. I am just new and am extremely frustrated. I don't want to skip over this part; I want to know what is going on.
Main:
#include <iostream>
#include "safestuff.h"
using namespace std;
int main()
{
cout << "Surprise, surprise!" << endl;
cout << "The combination is (once again)" << endl;
cout << SafeCracker(12) << endl;
return 0;
}
Function:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
string SafeCracker(int SafeID)
{
return "13-26-16";
}
Header:
using namespace std;
#ifndef SAFESTUFF_H_INCLUDED
#define SAFESTUFF_H_INCLUDED
string SafeCracker(int SafeID);
#endif // SAFESTUFF_H_INCLUDED
You are not compiling the second file you listed along with the first one. Try compiling directly with gcc to understand this.
assuming your files are named:
main.cpp
SafeCracker.cpp
safestuff.h
This is what you are doing
gcc main.cpp
While you should be doing this
gcc main.cpp SafeCracker.cpp
Also, SafeCracker.cpp should be including the header file as well, just for clarity. Any reasons why you have them separated?
On another note, from seeing Daniel Hu's answer, <iostream> is automatically including <string> for you. You should not depend on this functionality, and should instead include <string> in each file that uses strings.
(From comment below)
You're probably trying to build your main.cpp as a stand-alone file. This will leave SafeCracker.cpp uncompiled. What you need is create a project in Codeblocks and add all three files to it (both *.cpp files as well as the *.h file).
I think it's because you did not #include <string>
C++ has to import the string library to use strings or else everything is treated as char arrays.
I recently installed MinGW and MSYS on my Windows 32 machine and it seems to be running fine.
On the C++ compiler, I am including a vector container and getting no errors to that. But I`m getting compile-time errors when I try to use it.
So, the code
#include <vector> // include vector.h
#include <stdio.h> // include stdio.h
using namespace std;
main() {
// vector<int> A;
printf("\nHeya ..");
}
is running just fine. However, the moment I un-comment line 8-- the vector declaration line, I get the following error (shortened) in compile time:
undefined reference to 'operator delete(void*)'
undefined reference to '__gxx_personality_v0'
You're probably compiling with gcc instead of g++. The actual compiler is the same, but g++ tells the linker to use the default C++ libraries, were gcc only tells it to look at the C libraries. As soon as you use and C++-specific parts of the standard library, gcc will fail.
As an aside, C++ doesn't support the default int rule from old C, so you should really specify the return type from main.
I don't see how you are compiling your code. Your main method is invalid, incorrect signature and you aren't returning anything.
Should be like this:
#include <vector> // include vector.h
#include <stdio.h> // include stdio.h
using namespace std;
int main(int, char**) {
// vector<int> A;
printf("\nHeya ..");
return 0;
}
Also you need to compile this with g++ and not gcc.