C++ free function

Question

I have the following code

#include "stdafx.h"
#include <iostream> 
using namespace std;
#include "graderec.h"

int main( )
{
    GradeRecord studentAnn("45-2791", 14, 49);
    GradeRecord studentBob("67-5803",25, 50);

    int bobsUnits;
    int bobsGradePoints;
    int annsUnits = 4;
    int annsGradePoints = 16;

    cout << "Ann's Grade Information:" << endl;
    studentAnn.writeGradeInfo();

    cout << endl;

    cout << "Bob's Grade Information:" << endl;
    studentBob.writeGradeInfo();

    cout << endl;

    cout << "Enter Bob's units: ";
    cin >> bobsUnits;

    cout << "Enter Bob's grade points: ";
    cin >> bobsGradePoints;

    cout << endl;

    cout << "Bob's Grade Information:" << endl;
    studentBob.updateGradeInfo(bobsUnits, bobsGradePoints);
    studentBob.writeGradeInfo();

    cout << endl;

    cout << "Ann's Grade Information:" << endl;
    studentAnn.updateGradeInfo(annsUnits, annsGradePoints);
    studentAnn.writeGradeInfo();

    system("PAUSE");
    return 0;

}

void asterisks()
{ 
    cout << "************************************************************************" << endl;

}

I need to use a free function to display about 60 asterisks where I have cout << endl. I followed the example that I was giving but can't get it to work.

The code below is the example that I was given on how a free function looks.

void companyBanner()
{
  cout << *************************** << endl;
  cout << **     Tech Guys LLC     ** << endl;
  cout << *************************** << endl; 
  cout << endl;
}

Updatea: Got it working, thanks for the help everyone. I rewrote the free function and added asterisks() above the main again and it worked. Must have been something in the free function that was causing it to not work.

You're almost there, simply call `asterisks();` where you want to. For basic stuff such as this, you should probably grab a [good C++ book](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list). — Angew is no longer proud of SO, Jun 25 '13 at 13:10
Put your string in a double quotation. `cout << "******" << endl;` — frogatto, Jun 25 '13 at 13:12
You do not define the prototype of the function `asterisk()`. Put a `void asterisk();` above the `int main()` — frogatto, Jun 25 '13 at 13:18
@Angew I would buy a good C++ book but don't have the means for it right now cause I had to buy a outdated c++ book that was over $300. — Jacob, Jun 25 '13 at 13:28

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:10

0

You should call the function you defined otherwise it will never be executed.

You should also place either a declaration or the whole definition of the function before you call it for the first time.

String literals should be enclosed in double quotes ".

answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:10

Ivaylo Strandjev

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Free functions can have empty parameter lists. – Jun 25 '13 at 13:10
Maybe my English does not serve me well here but I imagine a free function to be related to freeing memory like the built-in `free` or `delete` – Ivaylo Strandjev Jun 25 '13 at 13:11
2

A free function is a function that is not a member of a class. – Benjamin Lindley Jun 25 '13 at 13:12
How would I make a free function that displays asterisks? – Jacob Jun 25 '13 at 13:12
1

@BenjaminLindley thank you for that clarification. – Ivaylo Strandjev Jun 25 '13 at 13:13
@Jacob you are on the right path, but you need to fix several problems that I mention in my answer. – Ivaylo Strandjev Jun 25 '13 at 13:15
@Jacob: what's your mean about `free function` ? – frogatto Jun 25 '13 at 13:29
From my understanding a free function is a function that is not a part of a class. – Jacob Jun 25 '13 at 13:39

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:10

0

'Doesn't work' is too vague for us to help you. My attempt for now is that you have not prototyped your asterisks() function. Put void asterisks(); above your main.

answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:10

MadPidgeon

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7

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:18

0

If I understand the question (please tell me if I'm wrong), just replace cout << endl; by a call to your function: asterisks().

Also, either move the function asterisks before your main, or add the prototype void asterisks(); above the main.

answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:18

Maxime Chéramy

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C++ free function

3 Answers3