Cross-Platform C++ code and single header - multiple implementations

Question

I have heard that a way to write Cross Platform c++ code is to define classes as follows (for example, a Window class):

window.h
window_win32.cpp
window_linux.cp         


        

Answer 1

A common way to do this is to use polymorphism. You provide an interface that abstracts your functionality without any regard to a specific platform:

class thread
{
    virtual ~thread() {}
    virtual void run() = 0;
    /* whatever */
};

and then you can inherit from this class using platform specific features:

class posix_thread : thread;

at compile time you choose with #ifdefs what class you include and instantiate.