syntax for initializing an array in a class

**timberwolf5480** · 10-14-2003

I have been studying the DirectX tutorials trying to learn graphics programming and struck out on my own trying to create a tetris clone to learn from. I would like to build the shapes using classes unlike the M$ way of using everything global in the tutorials. What is the proper way of initializing an array of structs in a class? The compiler keeps giving me a syntax error of missing a semi-colon. Right now I have a decent workable engine for my game, but it just doesn't feel right using all these globals.

**Hammer** · 10-14-2003

Post what you've tried so we can help you.

**timberwolf5480** · 10-14-2003

My first time posting code.....here's a try..

Code:

struct CUSTOMVERTEX
{
    float x, y, z, rhw; // The transformed position for the vertex
    DWORD color;        // The vertex color

};

class shape1
{

private:

CUSTOMVERTEX line[] = //currently a line strip
{
	{ 72.0, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 0xffff0000,  },
	{ 72.0, 24.0, 0.5, 1.0, 0xffff0000,  },

	{ 168.0, 24.0, 0.5, 1.0, 0xffff0000,  },
	{ 168.0, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 0xffff0000,  },

	{ 72.0, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 0xffff0000, },

};

public:
	void memberfunctiongoeshere()
	{

	}

}; //endclass

Compiler error:

Code:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\adian\adian.cpp(70) : error C2059: syntax error : '{'

Note: I have tried taking the ; out, putting it back in, taking the comas out.....etc...etc....etc...

**Hammer** · 10-14-2003

You can't initailise at that point in the code. You need to do it in a constructor.

Here's an example showing two ways:

Code:

#include <iostream>

struct myStruct
{
  int i;
  myStruct() : i(0) {}; 
};

class myClass
{
  private:
  myStruct myStructArray[10];
  public:
  
  myClass() {};
  
  explicit myClass(int num)
  {
    for (int i = 0; i < 10; ++i)
    {
      myStructArray[i].i = num;
    }
  }
  
  void printArray()
  {
    for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
      std::cout <<"element " <<i <<" is " <<myStructArray[i].i <<std::endl;
  }
  
};

int main()
{
  myClass c1, c2(2);
  c1.printArray();
  c2.printArray();
}

/*
element 0 is 0
element 1 is 0
element 2 is 0
element 3 is 0
element 4 is 0
element 5 is 0
element 6 is 0
element 7 is 0
element 8 is 0
element 9 is 0
element 0 is 2
element 1 is 2
element 2 is 2
element 3 is 2
element 4 is 2
element 5 is 2
element 6 is 2
element 7 is 2
element 8 is 2
element 9 is 2
*/

In the example:
Method 1:
Using the default myClass constructor calls the struct constructor to initialise all elements to zero.

Method 2:
Using the int constructor for myClass performs a loop around the structs and applies num to each element. If you use this method, the constructor in the struct itself isn't necessary.

**timberwolf5480** · 10-14-2003

Thanks, I didn't know I couldn't initialize it like that in a class, which means I'll have to do it the hard way. Thank you for your time and knowledge.

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