I was trying to put together a 'framework' for all my lab works, but then I ran into a frustrating linker error dealing with the implementation of pure virtual function..
When I define the pure virtual function from a .cpp file ( like returntype classname::function() {.....} ) I get a linker error, telling me that the definition of the pure virtual function is not provided...
However, when i simply put the definition to the header file, it works well.. I know i sound confusing... but the code below will surely help you see what is happening..
Can anyone please help me understand why is this happening ?
The project contains 4 files, ( 2 headers, and 2 cpp files)
1 > FrameWork.h :
#ifndef _FRAMEWORK
#define _FRAMEWORK
#include<iostream>
class labTest
{
public :
virtual void execute() = 0;
};
#endif
======================================
2 >Stack_Array.h :
#include "FrameWork.h"
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
template <class T>
class Stack_Array : public labTest
{
public:
virtual void execute();
};
======================================
3 > Stack_Array.cpp :
#include "Stack_Array.h"
template<class T>
virtual void Stack_Array<T>::execute(void) // I beleive i am defining the pure virtual function here, but my compiler ll not agree.
{
std::cout << "Test";
}
======================================
4 > Main_Run.cpp :
#include<istream>
#include"FrameWork.h"
#include"Stack_Array.h"
#include<vector>
using namespace std;
void main()
{
vector<labTest*> list(5);
vector<labTest*>::iterator it;
it = list.begin();
Stack_Array<int>* sa = new Stack_Array<int>();
list.insert(it,sa);
list[0]->execute();
getchar();
}
=========================================
Build Output :
1>------ Rebuild All started: Project: Lab FrameWork, Configuration: Debug Win32 ------
1>Build started 11/20/2012 6:16:48 PM.
1>InitializeBuildStatus:
1> Touching "Debug\Lab FrameWork.unsuccessfulbuild".
1>ClCompile:
1> Stack_Array.cpp
1> Main_Run.cpp
1> Generating Code...
1>Main_Run.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "public: virtual void __thiscall Stack_Array<int>::execute(void)" (?execute@?$Stack_Array@H@@UAEXXZ)
1>C:\Users\BSP-4\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\SFML\Lab FrameWork\Debug\Lab FrameWork.exe : fatal error LNK1120: 1 unresolved externals
1>
1>Build FAILED.
1>
1>Time Elapsed 00:00:01.64
========== Rebuild All: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 skipped =======================
It works if I make my Stack_Array.h :
#include "FrameWork.h"
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
template <class T>
class Stack_Array : public labTest
{
public:
void execute() // give the definition here instead of Stack_Array.cpp and it will work !
{
cout << "Test Success !!";
}
};
I am sure its some silly thing.. Did I overlooked something ?.. but am still in need of help....
Thanks in advance...