Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

jayme · Mar 18th, 2006, 3:35 PM

I have a class called Monster, now what I have is an array of 5 monsters, because there are 5 different monsters in my program.

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Monster array[5];
array[0].SetName("monster1");
array[1].SetName("monster2");
array[2].SetName("monster3");
array[3].SetName("monster4");
array[4].SetName("monster5");

array[0].SetDamage(12);
array[1].SetDamage(15);
array[2].SetDamage(16);
array[3].SetDamage(3);
array[4].SetDamage(22);

I know that is horrible code, mine doesn't actually look like that though. I am just wondering, if you are only using the file to set the data members for the array, should I use a .cpp file or a header? I'm thinking a .cpp file is the way to go, but I am also under the impression you should do "#include "array.cpp"" type declarations, so I would need a header in association to simply refer to that .cpp file.

EDIT: Or, would I just set each value for each array in the Monster.cpp file, which holds all the member functions?

Mocker · Mar 18th, 2006, 3:42 PM

That would go in a .cpp file since you are calling functions and performing an action. Make some sort of initialization function and put the code there.

DaWei · Mar 18th, 2006, 4:03 PM

Never #include a .cpp file. The reasons and pros and cons and all have been covered on this forum several times.

nnxion · Mar 18th, 2006, 6:52 PM

If you want to have some array outside of your file you should use the keyword extern. I'll repeat what DaWei said: Never include a .cpp file, always use header files and add:

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#ifndef FILENAME_H
#define FILENAME_H

// rest of code

#endif

That will make sure your header only gets included once. When the preprocessor includes some file, it just pastes it in.

Mar 18th, 2006, 3:42 PM	#2
Mocker Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 223 Rep Power: 0	That would go in a .cpp file since you are calling functions and performing an action. Make some sort of initialization function and put the code there. __________________ #programmingforums relay - http://thegupstudio.com/cgi-bin/pforelay.cgi freelance scripts - http://ryanguthrie.com/index.html

Mar 18th, 2006, 4:03 PM	#3
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	Never #include a .cpp file. The reasons and pros and cons and all have been covered on this forum several times. __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Mar 18th, 2006, 6:52 PM	#4
nnxion Programming Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: elemental plane Posts: 1,429 Rep Power: 5	If you want to have some array outside of your file you should use the keyword extern. I'll repeat what DaWei said: Never include a .cpp file, always use header files and add: (Toggle Plain Text) #ifndef FILENAME_H #define FILENAME_H // rest of code #endif #ifndef FILENAME_H #define FILENAME_H // rest of code #endif That will make sure your header only gets included once. When the preprocessor includes some file, it just pastes it in. __________________ "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for." -- Socrates

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Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

.H or .cpp?