c++ - Base operand has non-pointer type..but it is a pointer? -

i'm working on c++ project deals graphs. has lot of functionality related class "node" , class "edge."

at first, edge stored copies of starting node , ending node; like:

class edge{ ... private:   node m_start, m_end; ... } 

to make graph modification functions more efficient, decided make edge class store pointers start , end nodes instead:

class edge{   ...   private:     node* m_start, m_end;   ... } 

i made adjustments in cpp files/related functions ensure proper access (e.g., changing .s ->s). 1 example in printing function:

void edge::print(ostream& _os){   _os << "edgeid = " << m_id << endl   << "connects nodes: " << m_start->getindex() << " , " << m_end->getindex() << endl; } 

but when try compile, message (and similar ones same kinds of changes elsewhere):

models/edge.cpp: in member function ‘virtual void edge::print(std::ostream&) const’: models/edge.cpp:32: error: base operand of ‘->’ has non-pointer type ‘const node’ 

[where 32 line in example above starts << "connects nodes: "]

what going on here? m_start pointer, far can tell! might there wrong in assignment somewhere? getindex() function being called in example looks this, , same error occurs or without const:

int getindex() const { return m_index; }  //in node.h 

you've shot in both feet. should be:

node* m_start, * m_end; 

next time, pay screen line , write:

node * m_start; node * m_end; 

you'll doing favour.