Question

I am writing a C++ library in Xcode 4.2.

One of my classes won’t compile with this error:

attempt to use a deleted function

There is no specific indication what function it’s talking about.
I don’t want to post the class code here, but does anybody have any idea what this error means?

Answer 1

In C++11 you can declare functions as deleted:

struct Foo {
    Foo(const Foo &) = delete;
};

Attempting to use such a function is an error. The purpose of doing this is so that, in this example, copy construction of this type is not possible. This is a more direct replacement for the non-copyable trick used pre-C++11.

Also, there are rules in the C++ spec that lead to member functions being implicitly deleted.

The error is telling you that your program attempts to use a deleted function. You’ll have to post the error you’re getting for more detailed help.