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77

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1
Q: 

Including multiple classes in the same header file

I have an idea on how to do this, but I want to make sure I do it right....

I have five data classes. When I use one I typically use all of them (but not always).

Each class has a separate header file. I am getting sick of linking in each header file separately.

What is the best way resolve this issue?

+7  A: 

Create a new header file called "DataFiles.h". Inside that, have your five #import statements. Then whenever you need the file classes, just #import "DataFiles.h".

Beware of circular dependencies.

(This is how Cocoa, Foundation, UIKit, CoreData, etc all behave. Notice that you just #import <Cocoa/Cocoa.h>, which imports everything else. Open up Cocoa.h and take a look)

Dave DeLong  2009-10-04 19:11:46
Shouldn't need to worry about circular dependencies when using #import instead of #include. It is basically the solution to that exact problem.
Ed Marty  2009-10-04 19:27:45
#import solves the problem of declaring the same symbol twice, but it will not solve circular dependencies. (A.h imports B.h, and B.h imports A.h). That's why we have forward declarations using the `@class` directive.
Dave DeLong  2009-10-04 19:35:31
No, you still need to worry about circular dependencies. If A.h imports B.h and B.h imports A.h, it doesn't work right.
Chuck  2009-10-04 19:36:30
@Chuck - great minds think alike. =)
Dave DeLong  2009-10-04 19:58:30

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