Question

I want to have a static class that would hold different kinds of data (like directories, values, etc.). I’ve tried using namespaces but namespaces do not allow member variables, which I need to hold data (correct me if I’m wrong, though).

What I’m trying to do is save some constants for the whole program to use – scalingFactor and screenSize to name a few. Then, I want those data to be shared by all parts of the program. Something like this:

In Foo.cpp:

void doSomething( float p_Float ) {
   printf( "Scaled Float is %.2f", p_Float * Globals.scalingFactor );
}

In Goo.cpp:

void doSomethingElse( ) {
   printf( "Scaling Factor is %.2f", Globals.scalingFactor );
}

The scalingFactor should refer to the same value, the value of scalingFactor in the global static class Globals.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I also need to use global functions, does it work the same as variables in this question?

Answer 1

So just have it as a static member:

//Globals.h
class Globals
{ 
public:
   static float scalingFactor;
}

initialize it in a single implementation file:

//Globals.cpp
#include "Globals.h"
float Globals::scalingFactor = 42.0;

and use the scope resolution operator to access it:

float x = Globals::scalingFactor;

I’ve tried using namespaces but namespaces do not allow member variables

You haven’t used namespaces correctly. The following should work:

declaration in header:

namespace Globals
{
    extern float scalingFactor;
}

and the definition:

//Globals.cpp
namespace Globals
{
    float scalingFactor = 42.0;
}