using constants and statics to create ID's for object.

[dnulho]

I am trying to create a unique ID for each object that is created within the program that I can refer to.

class character
{
public:

    character()
    {
        playerID = playerNum;
        playerNum++;
    }
... // Cut
private:
... // Cut
    static int playerNum;
    const int playerID;

The problem is that I get these errors when I try to compile it:

||=== Build: Debug in D&D CH (compiler: GNU GCC Compiler) ===|
main.cpp||In constructor 'character::character()':|
main.cpp|12|error: uninitialized member 'character::playerID' with 'const' type 'const int' [-fpermissive]|
main.cpp|14|error: assignment of read-only member 'character::playerID'|
main.cpp||In member function 'character& character::operator=(const character&)':|
main.cpp|8|error: non-static const member 'const int character::playerID', can't use default assignment operator|
main.cpp|In member function 'void encounter::combineALL()':|
main.cpp|179|note: synthesized method 'character& character::operator=(const character&)' first required here |
||=== Build failed: 3 error(s), 0 warning(s) (0 minute(s), 0 second(s)) ===|

How can I get playerNum to increment, and get written to playerID on creation of each new object?

[firedraco]

Since playerID is const, you can't modify it inside functions like that. You have to initialize it in the constructor's initializer list:

character() : playerID(playerNum) {
    playerNum++;
}

[dnulho]

Ok, I did that, and my errors reduced to this one

main.cpp|8|error: non-static const member 'const int character::playerID', can't use default assignment operator|

What is that supposed to mean?

[firedraco]

Since your class has const data members, you can't use the default operator =. You will need to make your own (or tell the compiler that you don't want it to exist).