C++ error C2065: 'cout' : undeclared identifier

Question

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!!!!solved!!! - VS2010 has a bug, works fine with eclipse Galileo

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I am working on the 'driver' part of my programing assignment and i keep getting this absurd error - error C2065: 'cout' : undeclared identifier

I have even tried using the std::cout but i get another error that says: IntelliSense: namespace "std" has no member "cout" when i have declared using namespace std, included iostream + i even tried to use ostream

I know it's a standard noob question but this has stumped me and I'm a novice (meaning: I've programed before...)

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main () {
    cout << "hey" << endl;
 return 0;
}

NOTE: I'm using Visual Studio 2010 - running Windows 7

NOTE: all of the .h files have "using namespace std" - and include io and o streams...

Answer 1

before you begin this program get rid of all the code and do a simple hello world inside of main. Only include iostream and using namespace std;. Little by little add to it to find your issue.

cout << "hi" << endl; //thanks to RC for adding the l to end to make endl

Answer 2

The code below compiles and runs properly for me using gcc. Try copy/pasting this and see if it works.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int bob (int a) { cout << "hey" << endl; return 0; };

int main () {
    int a = 1;
    bob(a);
    return 0;
}

Answer 3

If the only file you include is iostream and it still says undefined, then maybe iostream doesn't contain what it's supposed to. Is it possible that you have an empty file coincidentally named "iostream" in your project?

Answer 4

Are you sure it's compiling as C++? Check your file name (it should end in .cpp). Check your project settings.

There's simply nothing wrong with your program, and cout is in namespace std. Your installation of VS 2010 Beta 2 is defective, and I don't think it's just your installation.

I don't think VS 2010 is ready for C++ yet. The standard "Hello, World" program didn't work on Beta 1. I just tried creating a test Win32 console application, and the generated test.cpp file didn't have a main() function.

I've got a really, really bad feeling about VS 2010.

Answer 5

I have VS2010, Beta 1 and Beta 2 (one on my work machine and one at home), and I've used std plenty without issues. Try typing:

std::

And see if Intellisense gives you anything. If it gives you the usual stuff (abort, abs, acos, etc.), except for cout, well then, that is quite a puzzler. Definitely look into your C++ headers in that case.

Beyond that, I would just add to make sure you're running a regular, empty project (not CLR, where Intellisense is crippled), and that you've actually attempted to build the project at least once. As I mentioned in a comment, VS2010 parses files once you've added an include; it could be that something stuck the parser and it didn't "find" cout right away. (In which case, try restarting VS maybe?)

Answer 6

I've seen similar things happen when I was using the .c file extension with C++ code. Other than that, I'd have to agree with everyone about a buggy installation. Does it work if you try to compile the project with an earlier release of VS? Try VC++ Express 2008. Its free on msdn.

Good Luck

-C

Answer 7

i've got the same problem and i as well have programmed before and it is honestly driving me up the wall.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
//#include "stdafx.h"
#include <conio.h>

int main ()
{
 cout << "Hello World!";
  return 0;
}

I've tried everything that i've found on various forums but nothing new is happening.. Im using Windows XP with Microsoft Visual Studio 2008..

Answer 8

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It was the compiler - I'm now using Eclipse Galileo and the program works like a wonder

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Answer 9

is normally stored in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include folder. First check if it is still there. Then choose Tools + Options, Projects and Solutions, VC++ Directories, choose "Include files" in the "Show Directories for" combobox and double-check that $(VCInstallDir)include is on top of the list.