Friend methods error

Question

I get this error message: ``` 'friend' used outside of class. ``` My header has this line ``` private: friend ostream& operator << (ostream&, card&); ``` and in the `cpp` file it is ``` friend ostream& operator << (ostream& outStream, card& card) { Suit suit=card.getSuit(); Rank rank=card.getRank(); string str; switch(rank) { /*...*/ } outStream<<str; return outStream; ``` like this. I searched but mostly it says that I need same class without friend but I tried, and it did not work. Can you please give me some suggestion? Thank you

Accepted Answer

Remove the `friend` in the `.cpp` file. It is only required (and allowed) within the `class` definition in the header file.

In the header file, you declare that the operator is your friend:

```
private:
    friend ostream& operator << (ostream&, card&);
```

This is a property of the class.

In the source file, just define the operator "normally":

```
ostream& operator << (ostream& outStream, card& card)
{
    // ...
}
```

Here, `friend` does not make sense: Friend of whom? Multiple classes might declare the operator as friend.

Friend methods error

Solution

Problem