Object Oriented Programming - Class in a Separate Header File

Vocabulary flashcards covering C++ class separation into header files, implementation files, driver files, header guards, and the compilation flow.

Header File (.h)

A file containing class definitions (interfaces) that allows the compiler to recognize classes when used across different files.

Source File (.cpp)

A file used for source-code implementations, such as class member function definitions and main or test programs.

Driver File

A program file containing a main() function used to test software and verify that classes work correctly.

Class Interface

A class definition listing only public member function prototypes in a header file, describing what services a class's clients can use without revealing how they are carried out.

Class Implementation

The definitions of member functions contained in a separate source file (.cpp) that conceal execution details from client code.

Binary Scope Resolution Operator (::)

An operator used in C++ source files to tie each member function implementation to its corresponding class definition.

Header Guards

Preprocessor directives (#ifndef, #define, #endif) used in header files to prevent multiple inclusions of the same class definition.

Object Code (.o / .obj)

The intermediate compiled code produced when an individual .cpp source file is compiled separately.

Linker

A compilation process component that combines all compiled object files into the final executable program.

Compilation Flow with Header & Source Files

The process where header files are included by source files, each .cpp file is compiled separately into object code, and the linker combines all object files into the final executable.