I have the simple following code :
mainc.c:
#include <stdlib.h>
#include "hello.h"
int main (int argc, char *argv[])
{
hello ();
return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}
hello.c:
#include "hello.h"
void hello (void)
{
printf ("Hello world!");
}
hello.h:
#ifndef _HELLO_H_
#define _HELLO_H_
#endif
I need to include stdio.h in hello to be able to access the printf() function.
Where should I include it ? In hello.c or hello.h ? Is there a best practice as both solutions seem to be correct ?
Header files within your application should only include system headers which are required to declare further interfaces within the header.
For example -- if your header includes functions which take a FILE * as a parameter, it should #include <stdio.h>. If it declares a structure containing a uint32_t, it should #include <stdint.h>. And so on.
System headers which are only used within the implementation should be left to the .c file. Your header should not #include <stdio.h> simply because the implementation calls printf(), for example.
Related
My compiler (GCC) is giving me the warning:
warning: implicit declaration of function
Why is it coming?
You are using a function for which the compiler has not seen a declaration ("prototype") yet.
For example:
int main()
{
fun(2, "21"); /* The compiler has not seen the declaration. */
return 0;
}
int fun(int x, char *p)
{
/* ... */
}
You need to declare your function before main, like this, either directly or in a header:
int fun(int x, char *p);
The right way is to declare function prototype in header.
Example
main.h
#ifndef MAIN_H
#define MAIN_H
int some_main(const char *name);
#endif
main.c
#include "main.h"
int main()
{
some_main("Hello, World\n");
}
int some_main(const char *name)
{
printf("%s", name);
}
Alternative with one file (main.c)
static int some_main(const char *name);
int some_main(const char *name)
{
// do something
}
When you do your #includes in main.c, put the #include reference to the file that contains the referenced function at the top of the include list.
e.g. Say this is main.c and your referenced function is in "SSD1306_LCD.h"
#include "SSD1306_LCD.h"
#include "system.h" #include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <xc.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <libpic30.h> // http://microchip.wikidot.com/faq:74
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "GenericTypeDefs.h" // This has the 'BYTE' type definition
The above will not generate the "implicit declaration of function" error, but below will-
#include "system.h"
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <xc.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <libpic30.h> // http://microchip.wikidot.com/faq:74
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "GenericTypeDefs.h" // This has the 'BYTE' type definition
#include "SSD1306_LCD.h"
Exactly the same #include list, just different order.
Well, it did for me.
You need to declare the desired function before your main function:
#include <stdio.h>
int yourfunc(void);
int main(void) {
yourfunc();
}
When you get the error: implicit declaration of function it should also list the offending function. Often this error happens because of a forgotten or missing header file, so at the shell prompt you can type man 2 functionname and look at the SYNOPSIS section at the top, as this section will list any header files that need to be included. Or try http://linux.die.net/man/ This is the online man pages they are hyperlinked and easy to search.
Functions are often defined in the header files, including any required header files is often the answer. Like cnicutar said,
You are using a function for which the compiler has not seen a
declaration ("prototype") yet.
If you have the correct headers defined & are using a non GlibC library (such as Musl C) gcc will also throw error: implicit declaration of function when GNU extensions such as malloc_trim are encountered.
The solution is to wrap the extension & the header:
#if defined (__GLIBC__)
malloc_trim(0);
#endif
This error occurs because you are trying to use a function that the compiler does not understand. If the function you are trying to use is predefined in C language, just include a header file associated with the implicit function.
If it's not a predefined function then it's always a good practice to declare the function before the main function.
Don't forget, if any functions are called in your function, their prototypes must be situated above your function in the code. Otherwise, the compiler might not find them before it attempts to compile your function. This will generate the error in question.
The GNU C compiler is telling you that it can find that particular function name in the program scope. Try defining it as a private prototype function in your header file, and then import it into your main file.
I think the question is not 100% answered. I was searching for issue with missing typeof(), which is compile time directive.
Following links will shine light on the situation:
https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-5.3.0/gcc/Typeof.html
https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-5.3.0/gcc/Alternate-Keywords.html#Alternate-Keywords
as of conculsion try to use __typeof__() instead. Also gcc ... -Dtypeof=__typeof__ ... can help.
My compiler (GCC) is giving me the warning:
warning: implicit declaration of function
Why is it coming?
You are using a function for which the compiler has not seen a declaration ("prototype") yet.
For example:
int main()
{
fun(2, "21"); /* The compiler has not seen the declaration. */
return 0;
}
int fun(int x, char *p)
{
/* ... */
}
You need to declare your function before main, like this, either directly or in a header:
int fun(int x, char *p);
The right way is to declare function prototype in header.
Example
main.h
#ifndef MAIN_H
#define MAIN_H
int some_main(const char *name);
#endif
main.c
#include "main.h"
int main()
{
some_main("Hello, World\n");
}
int some_main(const char *name)
{
printf("%s", name);
}
Alternative with one file (main.c)
static int some_main(const char *name);
int some_main(const char *name)
{
// do something
}
When you do your #includes in main.c, put the #include reference to the file that contains the referenced function at the top of the include list.
e.g. Say this is main.c and your referenced function is in "SSD1306_LCD.h"
#include "SSD1306_LCD.h"
#include "system.h" #include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <xc.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <libpic30.h> // http://microchip.wikidot.com/faq:74
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "GenericTypeDefs.h" // This has the 'BYTE' type definition
The above will not generate the "implicit declaration of function" error, but below will-
#include "system.h"
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <xc.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <libpic30.h> // http://microchip.wikidot.com/faq:74
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "GenericTypeDefs.h" // This has the 'BYTE' type definition
#include "SSD1306_LCD.h"
Exactly the same #include list, just different order.
Well, it did for me.
You need to declare the desired function before your main function:
#include <stdio.h>
int yourfunc(void);
int main(void) {
yourfunc();
}
When you get the error: implicit declaration of function it should also list the offending function. Often this error happens because of a forgotten or missing header file, so at the shell prompt you can type man 2 functionname and look at the SYNOPSIS section at the top, as this section will list any header files that need to be included. Or try http://linux.die.net/man/ This is the online man pages they are hyperlinked and easy to search.
Functions are often defined in the header files, including any required header files is often the answer. Like cnicutar said,
You are using a function for which the compiler has not seen a
declaration ("prototype") yet.
If you have the correct headers defined & are using a non GlibC library (such as Musl C) gcc will also throw error: implicit declaration of function when GNU extensions such as malloc_trim are encountered.
The solution is to wrap the extension & the header:
#if defined (__GLIBC__)
malloc_trim(0);
#endif
This error occurs because you are trying to use a function that the compiler does not understand. If the function you are trying to use is predefined in C language, just include a header file associated with the implicit function.
If it's not a predefined function then it's always a good practice to declare the function before the main function.
Don't forget, if any functions are called in your function, their prototypes must be situated above your function in the code. Otherwise, the compiler might not find them before it attempts to compile your function. This will generate the error in question.
The GNU C compiler is telling you that it can find that particular function name in the program scope. Try defining it as a private prototype function in your header file, and then import it into your main file.
I think the question is not 100% answered. I was searching for issue with missing typeof(), which is compile time directive.
Following links will shine light on the situation:
https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-5.3.0/gcc/Typeof.html
https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-5.3.0/gcc/Alternate-Keywords.html#Alternate-Keywords
as of conculsion try to use __typeof__() instead. Also gcc ... -Dtypeof=__typeof__ ... can help.
In the K&R book (p59) (edit: second edition, covering ANSI C), it is suggested that it is easier to split larger projects into multiple files. In each file, several libraries are included at the top as usual: e.g. getop.c needs stdio.h, and so does stack.c and so does main.c.
The snippets are something like this:
//main.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include "calc.h"
int main(void)
{
//etc
}
//getop.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>
#include "calc.h"
getop()
{
/*code*/
}
//stack.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include "calc.h"
void push(double val)
{
//code
}
I am having trouble figuring out how including the standard libraries several times in a project works. Of course, for the custom .c files to be able to access built in functions, we need to include #include <header.h> so that they are aware of the existence of printf() and getchar() and so on, but wouldn't this approach increase the size of the final program if stdio.h is included four times instead of once ( if everything was placed in one file)?
K&R does point out that splitting a program over several files eventually makes it more difficult to maintain all the .h files.
I suppose what I am really asking is how does the compiler figure out the problem of one library being #included several times in a project.
I have read up on using include guards, but it seems that is not needed for this implementation, as they deal with ensuring that identical bits of code aren't included twice, as in:
File "module.h"
#ifndef MODULE_H
#define MODULE_H
struct foo {
int member;
};
#endif /* MODULE_H */
File "mod2.h"
#include "module.h"
File "prog.c"
#include "module.h"
#include "mod2.h"
refs
I suppose what I am really asking is how does the compiler figure out the problem of one library being #included several times in a project.
you don't include a library by #include <stdio.h>, you just include it's declarations, so the compiler knows what functions exists. The linker takes care of including a library and putting everything together.
Because they use something called include guards, suppose your own include files where to be included more than once, then you can do this
MyHeader.h
#ifndef MY_HEADER_H
#define MY_HEADER_H
/* file content goes here */
#endif /* MY_HEADER_H */
Then you have another header
**AnotherHeader.h**
#ifndef MY_ANOTHER_HEADER_H
#define MY_ANOTHER_HEADER_H
#include "MyHeader.h"
/* file content goes here */
#endif /* MY_ANOTHER_HEADER_H */
and in your program
main.c
/*
* MY_HEADER_H is undefined so it will be defined and MyHeader.h contents
* will be included.
*/
#include "MyHeader.h"
/*
* MY_HEADER_H is defined now, so MyHeader.h contents will not be included
*/
#include "AnotherHeader.h"
int main()
{
return 0;
}
Since the included files are only included once per compilation unit the resulting binary size will not increase, besides the inclusion of header files only increases the compiled file size when for example there are string literals declared in those headers, otherwise they only provide information to the compiler about how to call a given function, i.e. how to pass parameters to it and how to store it's returned value.
This is my code. I have file1.c and file2.c. I want to call the MESSAGE from file2.c but I can't seem to do it. I am newbie in C so I really don't know what to do. I researched already but, I can't seem to find a specific answer. Thankyou.
#define MESSAGE "this is message!"
helloworld(){
printf("%s",MESSAGE);
getch();
}
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <conio.h>
#include "file2.c"
int main(void)
{
helloworld();
}
There are a few misconceptions you have: First of all the concept of "calling" a macro. It's not possible, even if a macro looks like a function it's not a function and macros are not actually handled by the compiler. Instead macros are part of a separate language that is handled by a preprocessor, which takes the source file and modifies it to generate a translation unit that the compiler sees. (For more information about the difference phases of "compilation" see e.g. this reference.)
The preprocessor does this by basically doing a search-replace in the input source file: When it sees a macro "invocation" it simply replaces that with the "body" of the macro. When it sees an #include directive, it preprocesses the file and then puts the content in place of the directive.
So in your code, when the preprocessor sees the macro MESSAGE it is literally replaced by "this is message!". The actual compiler doesn't see MESSAGE at all, it only sees the string literal.
Another misconception is how you use the #include directive. You should not use it to include source files. Instead you compile the source files separately (which creates object files) and then link the generated object files together with whatever libraries are needed to form the final executable.
To solve the problem of macros (and other declarations) being available to all source files, you use header files. These are like source files, but only contains declarations and macros. You then include the header file in both source files, and both source files will know about the declarations and macros available in the header file.
So in your case you should have three files: The main source file, the source file containing the function, and a header file containing the macro and the function declaration (also known as a prototype). Something like
Header file, e.g. header.h:
// First an include guard (see e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Include_guard)
#ifndef HEADER_H
#define HEADER_H
// Define the macro, if it needs to be used by all source files
// including this header file
#define MESSAGE "this is message!"
// Declare a function prototype so it can be used from other
// source files
void helloworld();
#endif
Main source file, e.g. main.c:
// Include a system header file, to be able to use the `printf` function
#include <stdio.h>
// Include the header file containing common macros and declarations
#include "header.h"
int main(void)
{
// Use the macro
printf("From main, MESSAGE = %s\n", MESSAGE);
// Call the function from the other file
helloworld();
}
The other file, e.g. hello.c:
// Include a system header file, to be able to use the `printf` function
#include <stdio.h>
// Include the header file containing common macros and declarations
#include "header.h"
void helloworld(void)
{
printf("Hello world!\n");
printf("From helloworld, MESSAGE = %s\n", MESSAGE);
}
Now, if you use a command-line compiler like gcc or clang then you can simply build it all by doing e.g.
$ gcc -Wall main.c hello.c -o myhello
That command will take the two source files, main.c and hello.c and run the preprocessor and compiler on them to generate (temporary) object files. These object files are then linked together with the standard C library to form the program myhello (that's what the option -o does, names the output file).
You can then run myhello:
$ ./myhello
From main, MESSAGE = this is message!
Hello world!
From helloworld, MESSAGE = this is message!
In your file1.c, MESSAGE is a preprocessor macro, which means the text MESSAGE will be replaced with the string "this is message!". It is not visible outside the file. This is because in C, translation units are the final inputs to the compiler, and thes translation units already have all of preprocessor macros replaced by the tokens of the corresponding argument.
If you want to have a common variable, you should declare the variable as extern in a .h header file, and then #include the file where you need to use it.
see Compiling multiple C files in a program
You have to put your #define in a .h file and include it in .c files where you want to use it.
You can write the files as below and compile the code as i mention in the following steps.
file1.h
#ifndef _FILE1_H
#define _FILE1_H
#define MESSAGE "this is message!"
extern void helloworld();
#endif
file1.c
#include "file1.h"
helloworld()
{
printf("%s",MESSAGE);
getch();
}
file2.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <conio.h>
#include "file1.h"
int main(void)
{
helloworld();
return 0;
}
For compiling,
gcc -Wall file1.c file2.c -o myprog
./myprog
Here is code try this:
In File1.C
#define FILE1_C
#include "file1.h"
helloworld()
{
printf("%s",MESSAGE);
getch();
}
In File2.C
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <conio.h>
#include "file1.h"
int main(void)
{
helloworld();
}
In File1.h
#ifdef FILE1_C
#define MESSAGE "this is message!"
#define EXTERN
#else
#define EXTERN extern
#endif
EXTERN helloword()
I have those 3 files in my workspace:
1.h
#ifndef SOME_HEADER_FILE_H
#define SOME_HEADER_FILE_H
//code
#endif
1.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include "1.h"
//code
main.c
#include "1.h"
int main(){
printf("hello");
}
but in main.c printf is unidentified, is there a way to make it work while the relevant header is called in 1.c?
how can I link the 1.c and 1.h files?
edit: it's an academic assignment and I'm not allowed to make changes in the main and header.
You have included #include <stdio.h> only in 1.c, not in 1.h or main.c.
Obvious solution is to include it in main.c.
Because of the way the #include macro works (it expands the whole header file that you include at the line where you call the macro), you actually don't need to include stdio.h within main.c as long as stdio.h is included in a header file that main.c includes.
Hopefully this makes it clear:
main.c
#include "test.h"
int main()
{
printf("I can call this function thanks to test.h!\n");
return 0;
}
test.h
#include <stdio.h>
This will work just fine.
But this is not the same as being able to use a function that a .c file has access to based on its own #include definition just because you cross-compiled them. In that case the other.c file that calls #include <stdio.h> will get printf(), but main.c does not.
In this setup,
main.c
int main()
{
printf("I don't have any way to call this...\n");
return 0;
}
test.c
#include <stdio.h>
You will not have any way for main to know what printf() is, even if you cross-compile the two. test.c knows what printf() is but not main.
What you want is to have #include <stdio.h> in other.h, and then #include "other.h" in main.c.
But for future reference, this is probably poor practise as it should be immediately apparent what each file's requirements are so that you get a good sense of what its job is.
So here's what I would probably suggest as the best solution:
main.c
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
printf("I can call this all on my own.\n");
return 0;
}