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.

whoops, i typed the question wrong, i have it coded the way you wrote so the problem is still the same — ElectronAnt, Nov 17 '12 at 06:05
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. — Russia Must Remove Putin, Jun 22 '14 at 16:00
Also, I believe the first line should be `#include` instead of `#include ` @Aneem — Yash Tibrewal, Apr 23 '21 at 01:05

score 297 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 22 '14 at 16:13

297

You need this include:

#include <sstream>

edited Jun 22 '14 at 16:13

sth

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answered Nov 17 '12 at 07:13

Jive Dadson

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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. – j riv Jul 09 '18 at 11:07
1

@jriv I am not sure what are you talking about. cppreference clearly states that the `sstream` header must be included to use `std::istringstream`. https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/io/basic_istringstream – Anis Ladram Oct 10 '20 at 22:11
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@AnisLadramhe: he is talking about being mislead by `gcc` *error message*, which is not helping the programmer to abide by the standard. – ankostis May 07 '22 at 17:16

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 02 '20 at 06:02

1

` Please include either of these:

`#include<sstream>`

using std::istringstream;

answered Dec 02 '20 at 06:02

devELIOper

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C++ compile error: has initializer but incomplete type

2 Answers2

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