namespace and private static class members - c++

Question

Why does this work:
#include "iostream"
class Something {
private:
static int s_nIDGenerator;
int m_nID;
friend int main();
public:
Something() { m_nID = s_nIDGenerator++; }
int GetID() const { return m_nID; }
};
int Something::s_nIDGenerator;
int main() {
Something::s_nIDGenerator = 1;
Something cFirst;
Something cSecond;
Something cThird;
using namespace std;
cout << cFirst.GetID() << endl;
cout << cSecond.GetID() << endl;
cout << cThird.GetID() << endl;
return 0;
}
it prints:
1
2
3
And this fail:
#include "iostream"
namespace test {
class Something {
private:
static int s_nIDGenerator;
int m_nID;
friend int main();
public:
Something() { m_nID = s_nIDGenerator++; }
int GetID() const { return m_nID; }
};
};
int test::Something::s_nIDGenerator;
int main() {
using namespace test;
Something::s_nIDGenerator = 1;
// or test::Something::s_nIDGenerator = 1; same effect if not using using.
Something cFirst;
Something cSecond;
Something cThird;
using namespace std;
cout << cFirst.GetID() << endl;
cout << cSecond.GetID() << endl;
cout << cThird.GetID() << endl;
return 0;
}
With the compiler error message of:
**** Internal Builder is used for build ****
g++ -O0 -g3 -Wall -c -fmessage-length=0 -o src\tuttest1.o ..\src\tuttest1.cpp
..\src\tuttest1.cpp: In function 'int main()':
..\src\tuttest1.cpp:23:5: error: 'int test::Something::s_nIDGenerator' is private
..\src\tuttest1.cpp:27:13: error: within this context
Build error occurred, build is stopped
Time consumed: 161 ms.
How do I get the 2nd example to work using the namespace test?
How/Why is the namespace declaration around the object preventing the static member form being accessible?
Per my comment to #zmo, here is what I got to work based on his clue:
(comment doesn't have the space or formatting for this, and I had to edit because I couldn't set this an answer.... (what ever it takes.)
#include "iostream"
namespace test {
class Something {
private:
static int s_nIDGenerator;
int m_nID;
friend void load(int);
public:
Something() { m_nID = s_nIDGenerator++; }
int GetID() const { return m_nID; }
};
int Something::s_nIDGenerator;
void load (int value) {
Something::s_nIDGenerator = value;
}
};
int main() {
using namespace test;
load (1);
Something cFirst;
Something cSecond;
Something cThird;
using namespace std;
cout << cFirst.GetID() << endl;
cout << cSecond.GetID() << endl;
cout << cThird.GetID() << endl;
return 0;
}
I am still a little loose as to the "what's up with static members being in a class and a namespace not working?" What's up with this? Why didn't test::Something::s_nIDGenerator work? (still a part of my original question.) So, we are half-answered, so far.
I want to know why this didn't work so I don't walk into this rake again.

Answer 1

Probably because your friend int main() declaration is declaring that the namespace also has a free main() function, while the real main() function is not in the namespace.
To fix it? First declare int main(); before (and outside) namespace test, then friend int ::main() to indicate it's in the global namespace.
For more details, see this question.

Answer 2

well, though I will never recommand you to do like you did in your question, here is how to make your code work "as is" :
#include <iostream>
int main(); // declare main beforehands so it can be seen by Something
namespace test {
class Something {
private:
static int s_nIDGenerator;
int m_nID;
friend int ::main(); // take the main from global namespace
public:
Something() { m_nID = s_nIDGenerator++; }
int GetID() const { return m_nID; }
};
};
int test::Something::s_nIDGenerator;
int main() {
using namespace test;
Something::s_nIDGenerator = 1; // tada that works
Something cFirst;
Something cSecond;
Something cThird;
using namespace std;
cout << cFirst.GetID() << endl;
cout << cSecond.GetID() << endl;
cout << cThird.GetID() << endl;
return 0;
}
but here is a wrong use case of a friend function. The solution that seemed to work for you that I suggested (use a function inside your class Something) is far better for readability and understandability.