some help needed here

Code:

---

// To convert meter to feet and inch
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
const float M = 3.25;
class distance
{
    private:
        int feet;
        float inch, meter;
        public:
        distance() {}
        ~distance() {}
        distance(float a)
        {
            meter = a;
            float k = meter*M;
            feet = int(k);
            inch = (k-feet) * 12.0;
        }
        void show()
        {
            cout << feet << " feets " << inch << " inches" << endl;
        }
};

int main()
{
    distance::distance d1(1.5);
    d1.show();
    system("pause");
    return 0;
}

---

if i dont use distance::distance d1(1.5) and rather use just distance d1(1.5), i get a series of error messages:
I:\C++\Lab 7\1a.cpp||In function `int main()':|
I:\C++\Lab 7\1a.cpp|32|error: use of `distance' is ambiguous|
I:\C++\Lab 7\1a.cpp|10|error: first declared as `class distance' here|
i:\CodeBlocks\MinGW\bin\..\lib\gcc\mingw32\3.4.5\. .\..\..\..\include\c++\3.4.5\bits\stl_iterator_bas e_funcs.h|115|error: also declared as `typename std::iterator_traits<_Iterator>::difference_type std::distance(_InputIterator, _InputIterator)' here|
I:\C++\Lab 7\1a.cpp|32|error: `distance' was not declared in this scope|
I:\C++\Lab 7\1a.cpp|32|error: expected `;' before "d1"|
I:\C++\Lab 7\1a.cpp|33|error: `d1' was not declared in this scope|
||=== Build finished: 6 errors, 0 warnings ===|

There's also a std::distance. They conflict.

That's why you should never use namespace std!

Pick another name - it seems there is a distance somewhere in the STL.

@brafil, u mean i shouldn't do using namespace std; ???

and thx to all

Or make your own namespace perhaps.

using namespace std;
is a quick hack for the lazy typist.
Sooner or later, sloppy use of namespace will bite you.

If you just want to save yourself some typing when using cout, you can just do something like this which is safer:

Code:

---

using std::cout;
using std::endl;
using std::cin;

---

umm... as i read in accelerated cpp, i should be doing
using std::cout;
using std::cin;
.........
Do you mean that ?

Yeah

okay i get it then! thx guys