C++: variable 'std::ifstream ifs' has initializer but incomplete type

Question

This seems to be answered - #include <fstream>.

The message means :-

incomplete type - the class has not been defined with a full class. The compiler has seen statements such as class ifstream; which allow it to understand that a class exists, but does not know how much memory the class takes up.

The forward declaration allows the compiler to make more sense of :-

void BindInput( ifstream & inputChannel ); 

It understands the class exists, and can send pointers and references through code without being able to create the class, see any data within the class, or call any methods of the class.

The has initializer seems a bit extraneous, but is saying that the incomplete object is being created.