[SOLVED] C++, how to declare a struct in a header file

C++, how to declare a struct in a header file

I've been trying to include a structure called "student" in a student.h file, but I'm not quite sure how to do it.

My student.h file code consists of entirely:

#include<string>
using namespace std;

struct Student;

while the student.cpp file consists of entirely:

#include<string>
using namespace std;

struct Student {
    string lastName, firstName;
    //long list of other strings... just strings though
};

Unfortunately, files that use #include "student.h" come up with numerous errors like

error C2027: use of undefined type 'Student'

error C2079: 'newStudent' uses undefined struct 'Student'  (where newStudent is a function with a `Student` parameter)

error C2228: left of '.lastName' must have class/struct/union

It appears the compiler (VC++) does not recognize struct Student from "student.h"?

How can I declare struct Student in "student.h" so that I can just #include "student.h" and start using the struct?

Solution

You should not place an using directive in an header file, it creates unnecessary headaches.

Also you need an include guard in your header.

EDIT: of course, after having fixed the include guard issue, you also need a complete declaration of student in the header file. As pointed out by others the forward declaration is not sufficient in your case.