Binary Tree Project - How Files Link Together

How C++ Compilation Works

Step 1: Compilation (.cpp → .obj)

Each .cpp file is compiled independently into an object file (.obj):

• BinaryTrees.cpp → BinaryTrees.obj
• BinaryTreeSearchInsert.cpp → BinaryTreeSearchInsert.obj
• Delete.cpp → Delete.obj
• Main.cpp → Main.obj

Step 2: Linking (.obj → .exe)

The linker combines all .obj files into one executable:

• Links function calls to their definitions
• Resolves all references between files
• Creates the final .exe

Your Project Structure (Incremental Complexity)

Version 1: BinaryTrees.h/cpp (BASIC)

Features: Simple tree creation, inorder traversal Use in Main.cpp: #include "BinaryTrees.h"

Version 2: BinaryTreeSearchInsert.h/cpp (INTERMEDIATE)

Features: Insert, Search, Inorder traversal Use in Main.cpp: #include "BinaryTreeSearchInsert.h"

Version 3: Delete.h/cpp (ADVANCED)

Features: Insert, Search, Delete, Inorder traversal Use in Main.cpp: #include "Delete.h"

How to Switch Between Versions

In Main.cpp:

// VERSION 1 - Basic
#include "BinaryTrees.h"

// VERSION 2 - With Insert/Search
// #include "BinaryTreeSearchInsert.h"

// VERSION 3 - With Delete
// #include "Delete.h"

In Visual Studio Project:

Right-click each .cpp file → Properties → Excluded From Build

• To use Version 1: Exclude BinaryTreeSearchInsert.cpp and Delete.cpp
• To use Version 2: Exclude BinaryTrees.cpp and Delete.cpp
• To use Version 3: Exclude BinaryTrees.cpp and BinaryTreeSearchInsert.cpp

Key Rules

1. Header files (.h): Declarations only (what exists)
2. Source files (.cpp): Definitions (how it works)
3. #pragma once: Prevents including the same header twice
4. One definition rule: Each class/struct can only be defined once across all files
5. Main.cpp: Only include ONE version's header at a time

Current Status

✅ Fixed: Missing semicolon in Delete.h ✅ Fixed: Added missing function implementations ✅ Each version is now self-contained