C++: How to declare an empty private static vector inside a class?

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Initializing private static members

This is really driving me crazy, I want to declare a static private vector inside a class I am going to use as a shared memory.

My vector declaration goes like this:

private: static vector< pair< string, bool > > flags;

This is done inside a class, but how can I initialize it as empty vector? The best would be if the init would be in the class itself, because I need to use it in many places. The other option would be in main() but nothing more.

I have setFlag() and getFlag() methods that work with the vector, but it gives me all kinds of linker errors, because there is only declaration, no definition!

It will be empty by default. – Some programmer dude Nov 11 '12 at 17:42 — Some programmer dude, Nov 11 '12 at 17:42

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 11 '12 at 17:43

7

I have setFlag() and getFlag() methods that work with the vector, but it gives me all kinds of linker errors, because there is only declaration, no definition!

you need to initialise it in the class implementation file (or another source file):

vector< pair< string, bool > > MyClass::flags;

answered Nov 11 '12 at 17:43

Caribou

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Perfect! Thanks, although imo it's weird to be able to call `private` class members, even static ones. – Tony Bogdanov Nov 11 '12 at 17:48

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 11 '12 at 17:43

2

You have to add a definition in the file that implements YourClass:

vector< pair< string, bool > > YourClass::flags;

This line will call the default constructor, which initializes an empty vector.

answered Nov 11 '12 at 17:43

Yakov Galka

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C++: How to declare an empty private static vector inside a class?

2 Answers2