Question

I have recently started working with C++ classes and had just started when I reached an error. I have a “resource.h” file that contains the class definition of two classes: ‘deck’ and ‘card’. I #included this file in another file, “card.cpp”. In the card.cpp file I described all the methods/functions of the ‘card’ class. However on compilation I am getting the following the errors (fyi I am using the MinGW compiler for command-line):

card.cpp:3:29: error: ISO C++ forbids declaration of ‘setCard’ with no
type [-fp ermissive] card.cpp:3:1: error: prototype for ‘int
Card::setCard(char, char)’ does not matc h any in class ‘Card’
resource.h:9:8: error: candidate is: void Card::setCard(char, char)

The “card.cpp” file:

#include "resource.h"

Card::setCard(char f, char s) {
    face = f;
    suit = s;
}

Card::Card (char face, char suit) {
    setCard(face, suit);
}

Card::~Card () {}

The “resource.h” file:

typedef unsigned short int UINT;
class Card;
class Deck;

class Card {
    public:
        Card(char face, char suit);
        ~Card();        
        void setCard(char face, char suit);
        char getFace() const { return face; }
        char getSuit() const { return suit; }
    private:
        char face;
        char suit;
};

class Deck {
    public:
        Deck();
        ~Deck();
        Card getCard(UINT x);

    private:
        Card myCards[54];
};

What is causing this issue, and why in the world does the compiler think that “Card::setChard()” is an int

Answer 1

Card::setCard(char f, char s) {
    face = f;
    suit = s;
}

should be

void Card::setCard(char f, char s) {
    face = f;
    suit = s;
}

Some hints that helped me get to this amazing conclusion:

• C++ forbids declaration of ‘setCard’ with no type
• candidate is: void Card::setCard(char, char)

If you thought this was cryptic, hold on tight for when you get to templates. Compilers have a history of generating great error messages for them.