Forward declaration include, on top of declaration include (ClassFwd.h + Class.h)

Question

In Effective C++ (3rd edition), Scott Meyers, in Item 31, suggests that classes should have, on top of their classic Declaration (.h) and Definition (.cpp) files, a Forward

Answer 1

The practice allows the code user not to think about whether a class is regular or template. The user just #inludes "corresponding_fwd.h" file and has a class reference. One less annoyance for the user is A Good Thing. But if it's a small project or class' creator is the only class' user then it might be more annoyance. So, it depends.