typedef enum {head, left_arm, right_arm, centre_torso, left_torso, right_torso, left_leg, right_leg} body_location;

struct  installed_part {
  int item_id;
  int damage;
  body_location location;
  int start_slot_number;
  // possibly include the stop_slot_number, but you can determine this by looking up the item_id
};

typedef std::vector<installed_part> mech_parts;

struct item_details;
// contains item details, like what kind of item, its size, and possibly a reference to
// another table (ie, rather than having all parts carry all of the weapon details, have an
// optional weapon_id int in this structure)

typedef std::map<item_id, item_detail*> mech_part_registry;
// maps item_ids to item_datail*s.



struct global_mech_spec_data;
// contains all the things, like mech_part_registry, or mech_weapon_registry,
// that are needed to understand what id's mean.  Could be
// a global variable, but globals are evil.

bool verify_valid_mech_part_layout(const mech_parts& parts,  global_mech_spec_data const& global_data);
// makes sure the parts don't overlap
// returns false if the constructor of the mech cheated
// returns true if the mech can be layed out like that.

struct mech_armor;
// a struct describing the state of a mech's armor.
struct mech_base_specs;
// a struct describing the non-part specific parts of a mech's design:
// engine size, total weight, options like quad, etc.

struct total_mech;
// contains  mech_base_specs, mech_armor and mech_parts

bool verify_mech(const total_mech& mech,  global_mech_spec_data const& global_data);
// returns true if and only if the mech is a valid mech.
// Checks weight restrictions, slot alloitments, etc.