Create Header File Dev C++
C code files (with a.cpp extension) are not the only files commonly seen in C programs. The other type of file is called a header file. Header files usually have a.h extension, but you will occasionally see them with a.hpp extension or no extension at all. The primary purpose of a header file is to propagate declarations to code files. Jul 03, 2019 There are many header files present in C and C. Even we can create them according to our requirement. In order to access the Standard Library functions, certain header files in C/C need to be included before writing the body of the program. C/C Header File. Let’s have a look at these Header files in C and C. Dec 11, 2019 To minimize the potential for errors, C has adopted the convention of using header files to contain declarations. You make the declarations in a header file, then use the #include directive in every.cpp file or other header file that requires that declaration. File Handling in C. File Handling concept in C language is used for store a data permanently in computer. Using file handling we can store our data in Secondary memory (Hard disk). Why use File Handling in C. For permanet storage. The transfer of input - data or output - data from one computer to another can be easily done by using files.
-->The names of program elements such as variables, functions, classes, and so on must be declared before they can be used. For example, you can't just write x = 42 without first declaring 'x'.
The declaration tells the compiler whether the element is an int, a double, a function, a class or some other thing. Furthermore, each name must be declared (directly or indirectly) in every .cpp file in which it is used. /auto-tune-evo-8-free.html. When you compile a program, each .cpp file is compiled independently into a compilation unit. The compiler has no knowledge of what names are declared in other compilation units. That means that if you define a class or function or global variable, you must provide a declaration of that thing in each additional .cpp file that uses it. Each declaration of that thing must be exactly identical in all files. A slight inconsistency will cause errors, or unintended behavior, when the linker attempts to merge all the compilation units into a single program.
To minimize the potential for errors, C++ has adopted the convention of using header files to contain declarations. You make the declarations in a header file, then use the #include directive in every .cpp file or other header file that requires that declaration. The #include directive inserts a copy of the header file directly into the .cpp file prior to compilation.
Note
In Visual Studio 2019, the C++20 modules feature is introduced as an improvement and eventual replacement for header files. For more information, see Overview of modules in C++.
Example
The following example shows a common way to declare a class and then use it in a different source file. We'll start with the header file, my_class.h. It contains a class definition, but note that the definition is incomplete; the member function do_something is not defined:
Next, create an implementation file (typically with a .cpp or similar extension). We'll call the file my_class.cpp and provide a definition for the member declaration. We add an #include directive for 'my_class.h' file in order to have the my_class declaration inserted at this point in the .cpp file, and we include <iostream> to pull in the declaration for std::cout. Note that quotes are used for header files in the same directory as the source file, and angle brackets are used for standard library headers. Also, many standard library headers do not have .h or any other file extension.
In the implementation file, we can optionally use a using statement to avoid having to qualify every mention of 'my_class' or 'cout' with 'N::' or 'std::'. Don't put using statements in your header files!
Now we can use my_class in another .cpp file. We #include the header file so that the compiler pulls in the declaration. All the compiler needs to know is that my_class is a class that has a public member function called do_something().
After the compiler finishes compiling each .cpp file into .obj files, it passes the .obj files to the linker. When the linker merges the object files it finds exactly one definition for my_class; it is in the .obj file produced for my_class.cpp, and the build succeeds.
Include guards
Typically, header files have an include guard or a #pragma once directive to ensure that they are not inserted multiple times into a single .cpp file.
What to put in a header file
Because a header file might potentially be included by multiple files, it cannot contain definitions that might produce multiple definitions of the same name. The following are not allowed, or are considered very bad practice:
- built-in type definitions at namespace or global scope
- non-inline function definitions
- non-const variable definitions
- aggregate definitions
- unnamed namespaces
- using directives
Use of the using directive will not necessarily cause an error, but can potentially cause a problem because it brings the namespace into scope in every .cpp file that directly or indirectly includes that header.
Make Header File In Dev C++
Sample header file
C++ Header File Tutorial
The following example shows the various kinds of declarations and definitions that are allowed in a header file: