Is this possible in C++? toString(ClassName* class)

Question

I\'d like to use toString with class argument, but for some reason there is an error. The code is:

Animal.h

#include \"Treatment.h\"
#in         


        

Answer 1

There are a few problems with your code. First of all, Animal.h should have an include guard as Treatment.h has:

#ifndef ANIMAL_H
#define ANIMAL_H

// Your code here

#endif

I'd also suggest that you give a longer name to Treatment.h's guard, you'll reduce the risk of using the same name elsewhere.

Using guards will ensure that you don't have a circular inclusion. Still you do have a circular dependency because the Treatment class needs to know about the Animal class and vice versa. However, as in both cases you used pointers to the other class, the full definitions are not required and you can - should, actually - replace in both header files the inclusion of the other with a simple declaration. For instance in Animal.h remove

#include "Treatment.h"

and add

class Treatment;

Both Treatment.cpp and Animal.cpp must include both Treatment.h and Animal.h.