How can I hide a class in C++?

Question

Let\'s say I have 2 classes that I want to be visible (within a given header file) and one class that is their ancestor, which one I want to be visible only to the previousl

Answer 1

Instead of hiding class, I'd recommend diabling making use if it. In example:

class Hidden
{
  private:
    friend class Exposed;
    Hidden() {}
    int hidden_x;
};

class Exposed : private Hidden
{
  public:
    Exposed() : Hidden() {}
    void DoStuff() { printf( "%d" , hidden_x ); }
};

So what you can: - create any number of Exposed class instances in your code - call DoStuff() method from these instances

But you cannot: - instantiate Hidden class (private constructor) - operate on Hidden class members directly or via Exposed class (they are private)