Class does not exist error when sketch only contains class definitions

[KevinWorkman]

From this Stack Overflow post:

Paste this into the Processing editor:

class One{
  Two two;
}

class Two{
  One one;
}

You'll get an error on line 2 saying The class "Two" does not exist. Now reverse the order of the classes:

class Two{
  One one;
}

class One{
  Two two;
}

Now you get an error on line 2 saying The class "One" does not exist. Apparently the order matters with class definitions?

But now if you add a setup() function to the sketch, everything is hunky-dory:

void setup(){}

class Two{
  One one;
}

class One{
  Two two;
}

[benfry]

Why would you do this?

Processing is not a Java IDE. The code in question doesn't make any sense.

Is this trying to make something or just figuring out weird ways to break the preprocessor?

[KevinWorkman]

I'm guessing that the OP started writing a sketch that was going to require classes, so added the class definitions, and then got scared when they started seeing an error.

[benfry]

I think there are better ways for us to spend all the time I don't have to fix the other 335 issues in here… Really appreciate you keeping an eye on SO, though at the end of the day this is too far into “why isn't this a Java IDE?” territory.

[KevinWorkman]

I understand, and I'm with you. Just thought it was slightly strange behavior. Although now that I'm thinking about it, it makes more sense since I gather that there are two kinds of sketch: "script-like" sketches that don't contain functions (just functions calls), and "real" sketches that contain functions like setup() and draw(). This program tries to be something in the middle, which is why it doesn't work. I'll communicate that back to the OP. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[benfry]

Yeah, makes sense—thanks again.

[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically locked since there has not been any recent activity after it was closed. Please open a new issue for related bugs.