How do you Access base variable from class outside the hierarchy?

How do you access a variable from a base class outside the class hierarchy?

example:

Code:

---

class Base
{
    ...
    int x;
}

class Sub : public Base
{
    ...
    void method1(Sub* sub); //this method can pass it self
    //to a method2 in class wantsToAccessX
}

class wantsToAccessX
{
    ...
    void method2(Sub* sub) //method that looks at variable x
}

---

Now the variable x is accessable from class Sub, but i cant figure out how to access x from the other class wantsToAccessX. Have tried things like sub.x and sub->x.

It the only way to do this with a getterMethod in class Sub?

It needs to be in public section, but in fact, you should never do this.

Code:

---

class Base {
public:
    int x;
};

---

Code:

---

class Base
{
    ...
    int x;
}

class Sub : public Base
{
    ...
    void method1(Sub* sub);
    void method2();
}

class wantsToAccessX
{
    ...
}

---

Much better.

Thanks kmdv,

After reading your response i could see that it was better with a simpler approach. But it will be necessary in my program to do this at some time - giving an object the responsibility to alter another objects state. I found something about friend classes, i think this is the key.

Why not add public setX()/getX() functions?