[RESOLVED] About Including header files to source file or Header file

Hi,


For example, I have the below files in a project called Calculate :

Source files : Calculate.cpp , Average.cpp (with out main)
Header files : Calculate.h , Average.h

I knew in general, we have to include Average.h to project header file Calculate.h to make it as part of project.


Can anyone please explain me the technical difference between adding header file (Average.h) to either project header file (Calculate.h) or project source file (Calculate.cpp) ?

I found no difference in an output. But, there must be technical difference. Looking forward to hear from you.

Thanks in advance,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by srvolatile

Hi,


For example, I have the below files in a project called Calculate :

Source files : Calculate.cpp , Average.cpp (with out main)
Header files : Calculate.h , Average.h

I knew in general, we have to include Average.h to project header file Calculate.h to make it as part of project.


Can anyone please explain me the technical difference between adding header file (Average.h) to either project header file (Calculate.h) or project source file (Calculate.cpp) ?

I found no difference in an output. But, there must be technical difference. Looking forward to hear from you.

Thanks in advance,

---

If you #include a.h in b.h, then any module that #includes b.h, also #includes a.h. Sometimes that's good, usually not. You want to reduce inter-dependencies when you can.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by srvolatile

I found no difference in an output.

---

Header files in C++ are only used in the build process, not when you run your program. If the program builds correctly regardless of where the header files are included, the output will be the same.

The only exception is if you're building a C program or C module. For the C language, header file inclusion or non-inclusiion can make a big difference in what output you see or how a program behaves.

Regards,

Paul McKenzie

Thanks to both of you (@GCDEF, @Paul McKenzie) for your explanation.