pimpl confuses me

[manav]

class Hat
{
	struct Cat;
	Cat * cat;
public:
	Hat() { cat = new Cat; }
	~Hat() { delete cat; }
	void printCat() { cout << cat->name << endl; }
};


// version 1
class Cat
{
public:
	string name;
	Cat() { name = "Lucy"; }
};

// version 2
class Cat
{
public:
	string color;
	string name;
	Cat() { color = "Brown"; name = "Lucy"; }
};

int main()
{
	Hat hat;
	hat.printCat();
	return 0;
}

The Pimpl is a little confusing for me.
Here in my example Hat has a Cat* so that it will all work fine even when Cat gets changed. So called, binary compatibility.
Now if I compiled my program using version 1 but now I have access to version 2 .dll then. Will it not fail? Why it will not fail?

[manav]

actually what confuses me even more is that no one could reply to this. that makes me think that
pimple confuses all the people. lol haha lol

[laserlight]

Why don't you test first?

[Daved]

You have to get a working example of the pimpl before you can test it. Your code doesn't work.

Also, have you thought about the fact that the code that uses the Cat must see its definition? So if the definition changes the code that uses it will have to be recompiled as well.

[manav]

laserlight and Daved sorry, but the example was not meant to be compiled and run. it is just a
little modification of the original example given at wiki.
i just wanted to hint you at what i am talking about. now if i had compiled my program with version 1 in a dll. and then got the version 2 dll. will my program still run??

[IfYouSaySo]

I'm not convinced you understand what pimpl is all about. My understanding is that it is for speeding up compile times. In your example, Hat will always need to be recompiled when Cat changes. It is the callers of Hat that do not need to be recompiled. And that is where you get your savings. The following articles might be helpful...

http://www.gotw.ca/publications/mill05.htm
http://www.gotw.ca/gotw/028.htm
http://www.devx.com/cplus/Article/28105

Also your talk about binary compatibility and DLL's has more to do with COM than pimpl.

[manav]

well may be i am confusing a lot of things. you know whenever i start programming in c++ i begin thinking about all such stuff.
and my point of focus moves from the logic of my program, to the implementation details, memory management etc.

i am so very confused with c++ these days.

just as i am writing this post, i was confused about my constructor also
should it be
Classname(BigObject & ref)
OR
Classname(BigObject obj)

i was so much confused that i stopped doing it and started watching movie

[IfYouSaySo]

You should definitely spend the time to learn the basics before diving into pimpl idiom.

Your constructor should pass by reference also if you're passing a big object. If you do not intend to modify the BigObject, then you should pass by const refererence, and if you DO intend to modify BigObject, then you pass by reference.

[manav]

Thanks IfYouSaySo!
Whats your real name, the ID sounds very strange, see I wanted to say thanks, but, if read carefully it means, thanks if you say so
Real name please!