Separate Compilation

Question 1

In general what is seperate compilation in C++?

Answer 1

Question 2

When one file needs to refer to another (e.g. LinkedList needs a NOde), what do we use to ensure that we can do this?

Answer 2

Question 3

Specifically how do you use a guard when including items. What does it do?

Answer 3

Question 4

What would intAtom.cpp look like for the following:

Answer 4

Question 5

In general, how should you approach includes for both .cpp and .h files?

Answer 5

Question 6

Why don’t guards solve all our include problems?

Answer 6

Every .cpp file is compuled separately into an object file and THEN they are linked together.

• Guards only stop you from including something more than once in ONE file compilation (e.g. if you included ListItem and Node, and Node was including ListItem too)
• Guards DON’T stop two seperate instance existing in two different translation units (i.e. the contents of a single source file, plus the contents of any header files directly or indirectly included by it)
  
  • e.g. if you included ListItem and so did some other file compiled seperately
• Inclusion of two header files in two seperate spots doesn’t caus ea problem if there’s no executable code - it’s only being brought in so the ompiler can get enough context to compile the class it is working on.
  
  • BUT if there’s any executable code(e.g. a method that is not inline*, a variable initialization…) you’ll get two copies of executable code in your compilation if you do two includes of the header.
  • The link editor will then produce errors because it doesn’t ahve a unique place to link to.
  • *an inline method is exempt from the “One Definition Rule” (ODR)

Question 7

What is the solution to the include problem in C++?

Answer 7

Question 8

For the attached code (which represents GenericList.h):

1. Why do we need to include ListItem.h
2. Why don’t we need to include Node.h?

Answer 8

Question 9

In C++ what is a forward reference and how do you make one?

Answer 9

Question 10

In the attached code (in GenericList.h):

Why does class Node work?

Answer 10

Question 11

What are good general rules for including/forward referencing?

Answer 11

Question 12

When should you use #include?

Answer 12

Question 13

When are other instanaces would you use forward references

Answer 13

Question 14

In the included code, why use a forward reference to C2.

Answer 14

Question 15

In the attached code, do we need the forward reference class ListItem. Why/Why not?

Answer 15

Question 16

In terms of header files and source files, how does one create an Abstract class?

Answer 16

Question 17

In general how do you compile with seperate compilation?

Answer 17

Question 18

How do you compile each .cpp file seperately?

Answer 18

Question 19

Once you have compiled each .cpp file seperately, how do you link them together to form an executable?

Answer 19

Question 20

In general, what is the syntax for a Makefile?

Answer 20

Question 21

How would you create a makeFile for the following files:

Answer 21

Question 22

How should you handle static members in Seperate Compilation?

Answer 22

Question 23

What are the 3 varieties strings come in, in C++?

Answer 23

Question 24

How do you use type def in C++?

Answer 24

Question 25

What should you know about C++ and arrays?

Answer 25

Question 26

How do you define and assign a pointer to an array (or array entry)?

Answer 26

Question 27

How would you use a pointer in an array with a for loop?

Answer 27