C++ compile error: has initializer but incomplete type

Question

I am coding in Eclipse and have something like the following:

#include <ftream>
#include <iostream>

void read_file(){
    char buffer[1025];
    std::istringstream iss(buffer);
}

However, when I try to build, I get the following error: variable 'std::istringstream iss' has initializer but incomplete type

Any quick thoughts? I have googled around and it seems like most people with this problem simply did not include the right header files which I believe I am doing correctly.

Broca

std::istringstring? It's in the <sstream> header anyway, though. – Dubbin

whoops, i typed the question wrong, i have it coded the way you wrote so the problem is still the same – Broca

yep, adding <sstream> made it build correctly, thanks! – Broca

Hard to see what the justification is for reopening. I'll skip and let others make the decision, but it appears to be a simple error. – Molest

Also, I believe the first line should be #include<fstream> instead of #include <ftream> @Aneem – Lemley

Answer 1

You need this include:

#include <sstream>

Percent

This is practically a bug on the standard library; the class was found but not the method leaving the programmer in the dark about what file to include unless he knows the standard library file names by heart, which is a ridiculous expectation. I hope someone reports it as a bug. – Yasmineyasu

@jriv I am not sure what are you talking about. cppreference clearly states that the sstream header must be included to use std::istringstream. en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/io/basic_istringstream – Tilbury

@AnisLadramhe: he is talking about being mislead by gcc error message, which is not helping the programmer to abide by the standard. – Ceil

Answer 2

Please include either of these:

#include<sstream>

using std::istringstream;

Blubbery