Question

Here is my code:

class Soldier {
public:
   Soldier(const string &name, const Gun &gun);
   string getName();
private:
   Gun gun;
   string name;
};

class Gun {
public:
   void fire();
   void load(int bullets);
   int getBullets();
private:
   int bullets;
}

I need to call all the member functions of Gun over a Soldier object. Something like:

soldier.gun.fire();

or

soldier.getGun().load(15);

So which one is a better design? Hiding the gun object as a private member and access it with getGun() function. Or making it a public member? Or I can encapsulate all these functions would make the implementation harder:

soldier.loadGun(15); // calls Gun.load()
soldier.fire(); // calls Gun.fire()

So which one do you think is the best?

Answer 1

I would say go with your second option:

soldier.loadGun(15); // calls Gun.load()
soldier.fire(); // calls Gun.fire()

Initially it’s more work, but as the system gets more complex, you may find that a soldier will want to do other things before and after firing their gun (maybe check if they have enough ammo and then scream “Die suckers!!” before firing, and mutter “that’s gotta hurt” after, and check to see if they need a reload). It also hides from the users of the Soldier class the unnecessary details of how exactly the gun is being fired.