I'm trying to implement a tree-like structure with two classes: Tree
and Node
. The problem is that from each class I want to call a function of the other class, so simple forward declarations are not enough.
Let's see an example:
Tree.h:
#ifndef TREE_20100118
#define TREE_20100118
#include <vector>
#include "Node.h"
class Tree
{
int counter_;
std::vector<Node> nodes_;
public:
Tree() : counter_(0) {}
void start() {
for (int i=0; i<3; ++i) {
Node node(this, i);
this->nodes_.push_back(node);
}
nodes_[0].hi(); // calling a function of Node
}
void incCnt() {
++counter_;
}
void decCnt() {
--counter_;
}
};
#endif /* TREE_20100118 */
Node.h:
#ifndef NODE_20100118
#define NODE_20100118
#include <iostream>
//#include "Tree.h"
class Tree; // compile error without this
class Node
{
Tree * tree_;
int id_;
public:
Node(Tree * tree, int id) : tree_(tree), id_(id)
{
// tree_->incCnt(); // trying to call a function of Tree
}
~Node() {
// tree_->decCnt(); // problem here and in the constructor
}
void hi() {
std::cout << "hi (" << id_ << ")" << endl;
}
};
#endif /* NODE_20100118 */
Calling Tree:
#include "Tree.h"
...
Tree t;
t.start();
This is just a simple example to illustrate the problem. So what I want is calling a function of Tree
from a Node
object.
Update #1: Thanks for the answers. I tried to solve the problem like in Java, i.e. using just one file per class. It seems I will have to start separating .cpp and .h files...
Update #2: Below, following the hints, I pasted the complete solution too. Thanks, problem solved.
In the headers, forward declare the member functions:
class Node
{
Tree * tree_;
int id_;
public:
Node(Tree * tree, int id);
~Node();
void hi();
};
In a separate .cpp file that includes all the required headers, define them:
#include "Tree.h"
#include "Node.h"
Node::Node(Tree * tree, int id) : tree_(tree), id_(id)
{
tree_->incCnt();
}
Node::~Node()
{
tree_->decCnt();
}
etc
This also has the effect of keeping your headers readable, so it is easy to see a class's interface at a glance.