How to call a static function in main.cpp from another source file?

Question

I have a method called initializeObjects() in my main.cpp file, and I want to call it from a method in another source file, named Scene.cpp. How do I do that? This is my main.cpp file, without the headers:

static void initializeObjects();
int main() {
    Scene myScene;
    myScene.render(640,480);
    return 0;
}

void initializeObjects(){
    //Add a plane of gray color
    Scene::shapes.push_back(std::make_shared<Plane>(Vector3D(0,1,1), Vector3D(0,0,80), COLOR_GRAY));
    //Add two spheres
    Scene::shapes.push_back(std::make_shared<Sphere>(100.0, Vector3D(0,50,0), COLOR_WHITE));
    Scene::shapes.push_back(std::make_shared<Sphere>(60.0,ORIGIN, COLOR_RED));
}

By marking the function static, you explicitly tell the compiler that it should not be accessible in any other source file. So if you want it thus accessible, drop static. — Igor Tandetnik
– Igor Tandetnik, Commented Mar 26, 2016 at 18:46

marcinj · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-26 18:54:13Z

1

When you define a function with storage class specifier static, you explicitly say that you want this function to have an internal linkage - this means it should not be visible outside the translation unit where it is defined.

So to be able to call your function from some other translation unit (Scene.cpp), drop static specifier, and add declaration of your function to header file, which should be included by this other (Scene.cpp) translation unit.

answered Mar 26, 2016 at 18:54

marcinj

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2 Comments

happy_sisyphus Over a year ago

Okay, I added a declaration in a separate header file, should I use any other extern keyword? What is the scope of initializeObjects() now?

marcinj Over a year ago

no need for extern, initializeObjects will have external linkage.

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