Strategy to pass custom structures to a function

[tonnot]

If I'd want to use a function with a lot of custom structures, which is the correct way ?
- Have I dot write a file with all my structures and include it the classes that are going to use it ?
- A template only works with basic types ? If i want to use with custom structures I have to include it , isn`t?
- By last, is it preferable to use templates agaist define a lot of overloaded functions ?

Thanks

[wysota]

It all depends on the function and the structures.

[tonnot]

My functions are going to be used both to save data into buffer and/or to save data to binary files.
Thanks WY.

[stampede]

Have I dot write a file with all my structures and include it the classes that are going to use it ?

Every class or fucntion that needs to use a members of your custom structures, needs to have access to structure definition, so basically a file with structure definition needs to be included. You may want to search for info on "forward declarations" too.

A template only works with basic types ? If i want to use with custom structures I have to include it , isn`t?

Templates works perfectly fine with compex types. lIf you want to use a given type in template, compiler needs to know the type definition when instantiating a template class.
You may want to read this : Thinking in C++ - chapter 16 "Introduction to Templates"

[tonnot]

Thanks stampede
Another question ... I dont know what is the reason because I cant use I struct (stored at a #include file) in my main header file ? (I only can use it at the implementation code)????
Thanks

[stampede]

I don't understand, can you provide a short code example ?

[tonnot]

mmm. still I dont know whats the problem (I cant send you the code because it is a big project with multiple files..)
I hope to fix it myself (and give here an explanation...)
Thanks

solved:
I have a #include fileA.h at my .h file and into my cpp file .
By any reason the compiler was making something strange.

[wysota]

Compilers don't do strange things, programmers do.

[tonnot]

But is there any explanation ?
Why a duplicate #include was generating that kind of error ?
Thanks

[wysota]

The explanation is you messed something in your code. What it is, I don't know, I haven't seen it. If I were to guess, I'd say your header file is missing a guard protecting it from being included multiple times during the same compilation.

[tonnot]

ok, thanks