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I can't compile, I get "main.cpp:(.text+0x24): undefined reference to `List::List()'"

+2 votes
asked Aug 13, 2023 by Elvis (140 points)

Hi, I'm a programming beginner. I'm trying to learn C++ Abstract Data Types, where I'm using the template <class T> to make a stack. Here's the code:


main.cpp:

#include <iostream>

#include "H.h"

using namespace std;

int main() {
    
    List<int> myList;
    
    myList.insert_head();
    myList.insert_head();
    myList.insert_head();
    myList.print_list();
    
    myList.remove_head();
    myList.print_list();
    
    return 0;
}

Here's, my header file

H.h:

#pragma once

#define NEXT_LINE cout << endl;

using namespace std;


template <class T>
class List;


template <class T>
class ListNode {
    private:
        int item;
        ListNode<T> *next;
    public:
        friend class List<T>;
        
        ListNode();
        ~ListNode();
};

template <class T>
class List {
    private:
        int size;
        ListNode<T> *head;
    public:
        List();
        ~List();
        
        void insert_head();
        void remove_head();
        void print_list();
};

And finally, here's my List.cpp:

#include <iostream>

#include "H.h"

using namespace std;


template <class T>
List<T>::List() {
    size = 0;
    head = NULL;
}

template <class T>
List<T>::~List() {
    cout << "Destructor:" << endl;
    
    while (size > 0) {
        remove_head();
    }
    cout << "Successfully deleted Linked List";
}

template <class T>
void List<T>::insert_head() {
    ListNode<T> *aNewNode = new ListNode<T>;
    aNewNode->next = head;
    head = aNewNode;
    size++;
}

template <class T>
void List<T>::remove_head() {
    int what_item = head->item;
    
    if (size > 0) {
        ListNode<T> *temp = head;
        head = head->next;
        delete temp;
        size--;
    }
    
    cout << "Removed node containing: " << what_item << endl;
}

template <class T>
void List<T>::print_list() {
    NEXT_LINE
    ListNode<T> *ptr = head;
    
    cout << "The items in the list are:" << endl;
    
    while (ptr != NULL) {
        cout << ptr->item << endl;
        ptr = ptr->next;
    }
    NEXT_LINE
}

template <class T>
ListNode<T>::ListNode() {
    cout << "Input Integer: ";
    cin >> item;
    next = NULL;
}

template <class T>
ListNode<T>::~ListNode() {
    
}

I keep getting the following errors:

/usr/bin/ld: /tmp/ccPECyJI.o: in function `main':
main.cpp:(.text+0x24): undefined reference to `List::List()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x30): undefined reference to `List::insert_head()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x3c): undefined reference to `List::insert_head()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x48): undefined reference to `List::insert_head()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x54): undefined reference to `List::print_list()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x60): undefined reference to `List::remove_head()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x6c): undefined reference to `List::print_list()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0x7d): undefined reference to `List::~List()'
/usr/bin/ld: main.cpp:(.text+0xa3): undefined reference to `List::~List()'
collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status

Please help me!
Thank you!

2 Answers

0 votes
answered Sep 13, 2023 by 727 200 c (140 points)
You need to add  #include <list>
commented Sep 13, 2023 by Peter Minarik (86,200 points)
edited Sep 13, 2023 by Peter Minarik
The poster is trying to create his own implementation of a generic list. Your suggestion does not help him.
0 votes
answered Sep 13, 2023 by Peter Minarik (86,200 points)
The C++ generics (templates) are a bit funny. You cannot separate the header and the source files, they need to be in the same file, typically with a .hpp extension (but extensions do not mean anything to the compiler, it's for us, humans).

I've made the changes for you: https://onlinegdb.com/hiioMUBVa

Now your code compiles. Have a thorough testing and finish any pending functions.

Good luck!
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