C++ Error linking in consumer file caused by static data field

Question

I want to use a static global variable as a mutex. When I try to compile the following code:

//header file

class __declspec(dllexport) StateConservator
{
private:
    StateConservator();
    StateConservator(const StateConservator&);

protected:
    const CString m_oldConf;
    CContainer& m_container;
    static bool x_mutex;
public:
    StateConservator(CContainer& container, const CString& conf)
        : m_container(container)
        , m_oldConf(!x_mutex? container.GetConf():_T(""))
    {
        if(!x_mutex)
        {
            x_mutex= true;
            m_container.SetConf(conf);
        }
    }

    ~StateConservator()
    {
        if(x_mutex)
        {
            x_mutex= false;
            m_container.SetConf(m_oldConf);
        }
    }
};


//cpp file
bool StateConservator::x_mutex= false;


//consumer file
StateConservator cs(*pContainer, pDoc->GetConfiguration());

I get the error:

Consumer.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "protected: static bool StateConservator::x_mutex" (?x_mutex@StateConservator@@1_NA)

Please, how can I solve the problem?

UPDATE

I created two minimal programs containing only the essential part to test the problem and they work! This is getting even more strange!

UPDATE 2

Notice the __declspec(dllexport) declaration after the class, that was missing.

Since it's a linker error and not a compiler error, are you sure both files are compiled with the same settings? I assume you're using Visual C++, but is this in a single project in Visual Studio or do they span projects? — Austin Mullins, Mar 17 '15 at 17:50
@AustinMullins: I verified that, and yes they have the same settings. — sergiol, Mar 17 '15 at 17:56
Is your .cpp file actually getting compiled and linked in your project? — Rob K, Mar 18 '15 at 18:27
Oh, and bools are not mutexes. You need to use an actual mutex. You will have race conditions. — Rob K, Mar 18 '15 at 18:29
[std::mutex](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/thread/mutex) is. Or, if your compiler doesn't offer C++11, you can use an object created with [CreateMutex](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms682411.aspx). — IInspectable, Mar 19 '15 at 12:22

sergiol · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-19T15:41:26.007

Sorry, people.

I was defining the code of StateConservator in a file belonging to the project. But after I realized it would make more sense in another file.

I was not realizing the second file was part of another solution. So, I did not compile the second solution, hence the error.

I think I need an extension to Visual Studio to colorize the tabs of other projects with another color. If somebody knows about one, I will appreciate.

Thanks for supporting the annoyance caused by me.

UPDATE

Notice the __declspec(dllexport) declaration after the class, that was missing.

C++ Error linking in consumer file caused by static data field

1 Answers1

Linked