class definition declaring ifstream object

what is wrong with the ifstream declaration here?? i am missing something basic i think, the error is 'ifstream does not name a type'

Code:

#ifndef NONSTATE_CLASSES_H_INCLUDED
#define NONSTATE_CLASSES_H_INCLUDED
#include <fstream>

class PreviewBoards         //rem, i must create Global object
{
    private:

    SDL_Surface* temp;
    SDL_Surface* Savesource;          //the save preview windows
    SDL_Surface* Minipieces;
    SDL_Rect savewin[6];
    SDL_Rect minipeg[49];
    SDL_Rect miniclip[49];

    ifstream Gamefile[6];

    int count;
    int dwn;
    int acr;

    public:

    PreviewBoards(int preview);
    ~PreviewBoards();
};


#endif // NONSTATE_CLASSES_H_INCLUDED

You should qualify the name, i.e., std::ifstream. Incidentally, if you can use a std::istream instead of a std::ifstream, then you might as well do so.

I note that I/O streams are not copyable, hence objects of your PreviewBoards class will also not be copyable when you have input streams as members.

You should qualify the name, i.e., std::ifstream

i did use that and it threw an absolute rack of errors, but if that is the right way then i should check other files for problems.

I note that I/O streams are not copyable, hence objects of your PreviewBoards class will also not be copyable when you have input streams as members.

I am better off creating the stream local to the constructor then? the object is only used once to show a set of saved game preview windows, the actual loading and saving uses a different stream elsewhere

Originally Posted by rogster001

I am better off creating the stream local to the constructor then? the object is only used once to show a set of saved game preview windows, the actual loading and saving uses a different stream elsewhere

Not necessarily. Do you need the object to be copyable? It sounds like a no, and perhaps some other member variables are not copyable as well. If so, consider disabling the copy constructor and copy assignment operator by declaring them private: it more clearly signals that objects of the class are not copyable, and may also give better error messages if an attempt is made to copy.

Not necessarily. Do you need the object to be copyable? It sounds like a no, and perhaps some other member variables are not copyable as well. If so, consider disabling the copy constructor and copy assignment operator by declaring them private:

this might be the best route then, this object is not copied and it only requires an int arg to be passed in once. no other interaction takes place