Need Syntax Help: Return Pointer to Struct from Class

i wish return pointer structure function within class, can't seem find right syntax/signature compile.  i've searched these forums, , googled it, , way typing looks correct, , i've experimented place *'s , compile errors no matter what.

i made simple test project try , figure out, have posted below.  have class, wrapper structure.  structure private member of class.  have function gettmptr() supposed return pointer private structure.  yes, realize simpler make structure public.  yes, realize i'm trying bit screwball , not programming practice.  please don't preach @ me that, i've been programming in other languages 30 years.  'real' project bigger testbed posted below, many classes, many structures, , many complex functions.  purpose returning pointer structure rather making public force level of abstraction.  oh yes, , know standard time.h library.

the line @ issue near end of datewiz.cpp file.
structreturntest.ino

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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// * * * * structure return test * * * *
//  file: structreturntest.ino
// (u) uncopyright 2014 dr. wizard, except noted.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

#include <stdint.h>
#include "datewiz.h"

class date_d date1(22,6,1963);
struct tmd* tmp;
struct tmd tmc;

void setup() {
  serial.begin(9600);
  tmp = date1.gettmptr();
  tmc = date1.gettmcopy();
  date1.setmonth(8);
  serial.println(tmp->tm_month);
  serial.println(tmc.tm_month);

} // end setup()

void loop() {
} // end loop()

datewiz.h

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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// * * * * structure return test * * * *
//  file: datewiz.h
// (u) uncopyright 2014 dr. wizard, except noted.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

#include <stdint.h>

#ifndef _datewiz_h
#define _datewiz_h

//    structures     //
struct tmd {
  uint8_t  tm_mday;     // day of month         1-31
  uint16_t tm_year;     // years                1900-2100
  uint8_t  tm_month;    // month number             1-12
}; 

//    classes       //
//    date_d class     //
class date_d {
  public:
    // constructors, destructor
    date_d();
    date_d(uint8_t dayofmonth, uint8_t month, uint16_t years);
    // member functions
    uint8_t  getdayofmonth();
    uint8_t  getmonth();
    uint16_t getyear();
    // member set functions
    void setdayofmonth(uint8_t days);
    void setmonth(uint8_t months);
    void setyear(uint16_t years);
    // other functions
    struct tmd gettmcopy();
    struct tmd* gettmptr();

  private:
    struct tmd _tmd;
}; // end date_d class definition

#endif

datewiz.cpp

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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// * * * * structure return test * * * *
//  file: datewiz.cpp
// (u) uncopyright 2014 dr. wizard, except noted.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

#include <stdint.h>
#include "datewiz.h"

// date_d constructors, destructor //
date_d::date_d() {
  // constructor no parameters defaults unix epoch - jan 1st, 1970
  _tmd.tm_mday        = 1;          // day of month         1-31
  _tmd.tm_year        = 1970;         // years since 1900         0-255
  _tmd.tm_month       = 1;          // month number             1-12
} // end constructor date_d()

date_d::date_d(uint8_t days, uint8_t months, uint16_t years) {
  _tmd.tm_mday        = days;          // day of month         1-31
  _tmd.tm_month       = months;     // month number             1-12
  _tmd.tm_year        = years;          // full year number         0-?  (such 2014)
} // end constructor date_d(uint8_t seconds, uint8_t minutes, uint8_t hours, uint8_t days, uint8_t months, uint16_t years)

// date_d member functions //
uint8_t  date_d::getdayofmonth() {
  return _tmd.tm_mday;
} // end getdayofmonth

uint8_t  date_d::getmonth() {
  return _tmd.tm_month;
} // end getmonth

uint16_t date_d::getyear() {
  return _tmd.tm_year;
} // end getyear

// date_d member set functions //
void date_d::setdayofmonth(uint8_t days) {
  _tmd.tm_mday = days;
} // end setdayofmonth

void date_d::setmonth(uint8_t months) {
  _tmd.tm_month = months;
} // end setmonth

void date_d::setyear(uint16_t years) {
  _tmd.tm_year = years;
} // end setyear

// date_d other functions //
struct tmd date_d::gettmcopy() {
  return _tmd;
} // end gettmcopy

struct tmd* date_d::gettmptr() {
  return _tmd*; // error: expected primary-expression before ';' token
} // end gettmptr


thanks in advance help!

code: [select]

class date_d date1(22,6,1963);
that's pretty skimpy definition of class. not how create instance of class.

quote

the structure private member of class.  have function gettmptr() supposed return pointer private structure.

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  return _tmd*; // error: expected primary-expression before ';' token
not surprising. try
return &_tmd;

even better have member pointer, , make pointer point data, , return pointer.

but, best not try return pointer struct. have 3 methods return data. way, can ditch struct altogether, , functions still work.

of course, caller able understand struct, struct definition shouldn't hidden in class.

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