Thread: Accessing private Data members

My apologies i didnt post the whole question

A character string can be implemented as a linked list of characters. Implement a C++ ADT called Newstring that uses linked lists to implement the following string operations:
display()
// display private data on standard output
length()
// returns the length of string
concatenate(Newstring)
// copies contents of parameter Newstring onto the end of private data;
// does not merely make the last node of the private data
// point to the first node of Newstring object
concatenate(char)
// concatenates a single char onto the end of the private data
substring(Newstring)
// returns true if Newstring object is a substring of the private
// data of the ADT and false otherwise
In all cases string refers to the private data of your ADT. In implementing this ADT, you may want to write additional, private methods to assist the others. Write a short program to test your ADT. You should have a minimum of three files for this project: a header file for the ADT, an implementation file for the ADT, and a file that uses the ADT

Currently i have this as my code, im working on the display().

Im looking to access the public function named access so i can return item2. or should i go about this a different way. I dont know how to access the public function.

Code:

#include<iostream>
using namespace std;

struct node
{
       char item;
       node *next;
       
       private:
       char item2;
       char *p;
       
      public:
      
      char access(){
           
           return item2;
           
           }
       
};





int main(){
 
   node *stringdata;


    system("pause");
    
    
    return 0;
}

Thanks for the eye opener. One last question before i analyze this and how use it.

When using the node *next ,is it creating a pointer of in the struct node?
also I read somewhere that public: member functions can access private data members.

is it something like

Newstring::display() // or is this to access the functions?

please forgive me as the book didnt give very good examples of how to do this.

After reading it a few times i figured out how to access the member functions, still clueless on the private data head.

heres what i came up with.

Code:

#include<iostream>
using namespace std;

struct node
{
    char c;
    node* next;
};

class Newstring
{
    public:
    //constructor, copy constructor, overloaded operator== and destructor
    void display() ;
 
    
    unsigned length() const;
    void concatenate(const Newstring&);
    void concatenate(char);
     bool substring(const Newstring&) const;
  
    private:
    node* head;
    //other members if needed
    //other functions if needed
    
    
};

void Newstring::display() //initializing Newstring memberfunction
{
    
      // Here the private data can be, but how??? head is a pointer, but can u only access it by reference?
     
     }

int main() {
    
   Newstring a; // Creating Newstring object
    a.display(); // invoking objects display member function
    
    system("pause");
    return 0;
    
}

Code:

struct node
{
   int item;
   node *next;
}

head->item=5;

head->next=second;
second->next=third
third->next=tail;
tail->next=NULL;

I understand the concept of Integer linked lists and have put doubly and circular together, by keeping everything mostly global for ease. When the book isnt easy to understand i make everything global to get the problem so i can at least perform the task. Anything more advance, the book would need an example at least. This is my second CRAPPY class i've taken online that once again gives books that arent aimed for beginners.