Header include problem - class not declared...

Hello,
I'm new here, so I hope I'll ask my question correctly. I have an assignment to create a "text-based cosmic adventure" and all went well until now. My project is separated into several header and implementation files. Problem arises only when I include certain file in another header file. Compiler writes the famous "myClass was not declared in this scope" error. And I really don't know what I'm doing wrong (or better said what to do).
I have a tip, but better first some code:

Code:

---

// Location.h
#include "MainMenu.h"
class Location
{...}

// MainMenu.h
#include "Planet.h"
class MainMenu
{...}

// Planet.h
#include <vector>
#include "Location.h"
class Planet
{
...
vector<Location> location; // error: 'Location' was not declared in this scope
...
}

---

I think there could be some sort of cycle between Location.h and Planet.h. First Location.h includes MainMenu.h, which then includes Planet.h, that includes again Location.h. But I really don't know how to prevent this, because I need all headers to be included.

Do you think this is the reason or is it something else? Could you please show me a solution to this problem?
Thank you very much

Note: When I do not include MainMenu.h in Location.h, the error in Planet.h doesn't occur. but I'd really like to be able to use MainManu functionality (well, better said, I need to, because it controls the whole game).


P.S.: At the beginning of every file I of course have that thing against cycles:

Code:

---

#ifndef LOCATION_H
#define LOCATION_H
...
#endif

---

so there shouldn't be any "inclusion cycle problem".

It's a bit hard to say without seeing actual code, but if "the error occurs when including MainMenu.h" that means with 99% certainty the error is in MainMenu.h. Does MainMenu.h require Location? Is it including the header file?

One thing that strikes me: in your "examples", you consistently forget the terminating semi-colon for your class definitions. Now, this may just be carelessness with your pseudo-examples, but perhaps it manifests in your actual code.

Yes, I have semi-collons in the real program.
MainMenu.h doesn't require Location. It's including header file Planet.h.
But MainMenu works well, there is no error.
What do you think the problem could be?

Then you'll have to provide more context. The bits you have (what little they are) should work as they stand.

Should it be std::vector<Location> instead of vector<Location>? Unless there is something in those headers that I'm not seeing that's opening up the std namespace.

Yes, I have in one of this classes using namespace std.
Meanwhile, I found a solution - I included MainMenu.h in Location.cpp and it works. But thanks for all your answers.

But I afraid of how would I do this "include management" in larger projects. Are there any best practices in this area? How should one do it. I heard something about forward declarations, when they are useful?

Forward declarations are useful when you don't need to know the real type. If you have a pointer or a reference to such a type, then a forward type is sufficient.

Ok, I think I got it. Thanks.