Question

I’m not exactly certain what happens but take the following:

class A{

}

–

class B{
 #include "A.h"
}

–

class C{
 #include "B.h"
}

Now if I were to code in class C does it mean class A is also automatically included as well? From what I understand is that #include basically copies the entire file right on the spot.

Can anyone elaborate on this?

I’m trying to use class forwarding as much as I can. But sometimes I simply can not.

Edit:

The classes above are not in the same file. Imagine them separated.

Edit II:
Let me put it into more context.

Lets say I’m creating a new class that includes class B, but then I declare a variable of type A. This seems to compile even though I never included A to the class. Is this just how it goes in C++?

Answer 1

That would basically declare a nested class called A inside class B.

Cases where include directives should be anywhere else other than the top of the file are very rare, and usually have completely different purpose than what you have.

If I understood your file hierarchy correctly, it’s equivalent to:

//A.h
class A{

};

//B.h
class B{
  class A{

  };
};

//C.h
class C{
  class B{
    class A{

    };
  };
};