How do I create a header-only library?

Solution 1:

You can use the inline keyword:

// header.hpp (included into multiple translation units)

void foo_bad() {} // multiple definitions, one in every translation unit :(

inline void foo_good() {} // ok :)

inline allows the linker to simply pick one definition and discard the rest.

(As such, if those definitions don't actually match, you get a good dose of undefined behavior...!)

As an aside, member functions defined within a class-type, are implicitly marked inline:

struct myclass
{
    void i_am_inline_implicitly()
    {
        // because my definition is here
    }

    void but_i_am_not();
    void neither_am_i();
};

inline void myclass::but_i_am_not()
{
    // but that doesn't mean my definition cannot be explicitly inline
}

void myclass::neither_am_i()
{
    // but in this case, no inline for me :(
}

Solution 2:

Use header guards as Liz suggests and don't forget to put "inline" before your function methods.

ie

#ifndef MY_HEADER_H_
#define MY_HEADER_H_

inline RetType FunctionName( ParamType1 param1, ParamType2 param2 )
{
    // Function body
    return retType;
}

#endif