I have this include file (memory .h)
#ifndef MEMORY_H
#define MEMORY_H
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" {
#endif
typedef struct mmemory {
int* cells;
int* current_cell;
int cells_number;
} memory;
void memory_init(memory* mymemory, int size);
void step_left(memory* mymemory, int steps);
void step_right(memory* mymemory, int steps);
void cell_inc(memory* mymemory, int quantity);
void print_cell(memory* mymemory);
void get_char(memory* mymemory);
#ifdef __cplusplus
}
#endif
#endif /* MEMORY_H */
And this implementation file (memory.c)
#include <stdlib.h>
#include "memory.h"
void
memory_init (memory* mymemory, int size)
{
mymemory->cells = (int*) malloc (sizeof (int) * size);
mymemory->cells_number = size;
mymemory->current_cell = (int*) ((mymemory->cells_number / 2) * sizeof (int));
}
... //other function definitions follow
When I try to compile memory.c I get this error for each and every function definition
src/memory.c:5: error: expected ')' before '*' token
where line 5 is the function definition for memory_init()
Can someone please tell me why I'm getting this error?
Because the system memory.h is shadowing your memory.h, causing the #include to succeed without declaring your types. Several possible fixes:
Rename your file -- probably for the best in any case, to reduce potential confusion.
Include your file via a prefix subdirectory (e.g., #include <myproj/memory.h>).
Move your file into the same directory as the source file, allowing the #include precedence rules for filenames wrapped in " to take effect.
Ensure that your C pre-processor include path options place your project header path prior to the system header paths.
This answer is really late, but I encountered a similar problem.
I think your problem is related to a typo in your .h file where you declare a struct mmemory. If you remove that extra 'm' it should work.
In your code you have defined like this for memory.h
#ifndef MEMORY_H
#define MEMORY_H
...
...
#endif
In case any of your other files which you use in your project is having the same #define i.e MEMORY_H then you can get this error.
Solution:
#ifndef XYZ_MEMORY_H
#define XYZ_MEMORY_H
...
...
#endif
Related
Can anyone explain how to create a header file in C with a simple example from beginning to end.
foo.h
#ifndef FOO_H_ /* Include guard */
#define FOO_H_
int foo(int x); /* An example function declaration */
#endif // FOO_H_
foo.c
#include "foo.h" /* Include the header (not strictly necessary here) */
int foo(int x) /* Function definition */
{
return x + 5;
}
main.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include "foo.h" /* Include the header here, to obtain the function declaration */
int main(void)
{
int y = foo(3); /* Use the function here */
printf("%d\n", y);
return 0;
}
To compile using GCC
gcc -o my_app main.c foo.c
#ifndef MY_HEADER_H
# define MY_HEADER_H
//put your function headers here
#endif
MY_HEADER_H serves as a double-inclusion guard.
For the function declaration, you only need to define the signature, that is, without parameter names, like this:
int foo(char*);
If you really want to, you can also include the parameter's identifier, but it's not necessary because the identifier would only be used in a function's body (implementation), which in case of a header (parameter signature), it's missing.
This declares the function foo which accepts a char* and returns an int.
In your source file, you would have:
#include "my_header.h"
int foo(char* name) {
//do stuff
return 0;
}
myfile.h
#ifndef _myfile_h
#define _myfile_h
void function();
#endif
myfile.c
#include "myfile.h"
void function() {
}
header files contain prototypes for functions you define in a .c or .cpp/.cxx file (depending if you're using c or c++). You want to place #ifndef/#defines around your .h code so that if you include the same .h twice in different parts of your programs, the prototypes are only included once.
client.h
#ifndef CLIENT_H
#define CLIENT_H
short socketConnect(char *host,unsigned short port,char *sendbuf,char *recievebuf, long rbufsize);
#endif /** CLIENT_H */
Then you'd implement the .h in a .c file like so:
client.c
#include "client.h"
short socketConnect(char *host,unsigned short port,char *sendbuf,char *recievebuf, long rbufsize) {
short ret = -1;
//some implementation here
return ret;
}
For context, I'm writing an operating system:
I have a struct vt_device_s and a struct __vt_device_s which is architecture specific and lives inside of vt_device_s like so:
struct
vt_device_s
{
struct __vt_device_s __device;
size_t cursor_x;
size_t cursor_y;
};
Now for the architectural struct:
struct
__vt_device_s
{
uint16_t *memory;
size_t memory_len;
};
The header <dev/vt.h> knows about __vt_device_s defined in <sys/_vt.h> because it is included, yet I get this error:
error: field '__device' has incomplete type
48 | struct __vt_device_s __device;
|
I realise this is because both files rely on each other (the whole conflict is caused by _vt.c including _vt.h including vt.h including _vt.h) but I don't understand how it is a compile problem. I have include guards in both files!
PS: I understand this would be a non-issue if I used a pointer but as it's an operating system, this driver needs to function before paging is set up (that is, malloc and free don't exist yet).
Here are the three files in question:
dev/vt.h
#ifndef _DEV_VT_H_
#define _DEV_VT_H_ 1
#include <stddef.h>
#include <sys/_vt.h>
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" {
#endif /* __cplusplus */
struct
vt_device_s
{
struct __vt_device_s __device;
size_t cursor_x;
size_t cursor_y;
};
void vt_init(struct vt_device_s *);
#ifdef __cplusplus
}
#endif /* __cplusplus */
#endif /* _DEV_VT_H_ */
sys/_vt.h
#ifndef _I386__VT_H_
#define _I386__VT_H_ 1
#include <stddef.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <dev/vt.h>
#define __VT_WIDTH 80
#define __VT_HEIGHT 25
#define __VT_MEMOFF 0xb8000
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" {
#endif /* __cplusplus */
struct
__vt_device_s
{
uint16_t *memory;
size_t memory_len;
};
void __vt_init(struct vt_device_s *);
#ifdef __cplusplus
}
#endif /* __cplusplus */
#endif /* _I386__VT_H_ */
sys/_vt.c
#include <sys/_vt.h>
void
__vt_init(struct vt_device_s *device)
{
device->__device.memory = (uint16_t *) __VT_MEMOFF;
device->__device.memory_len = __VT_WIDTH * __VT_HEIGHT;
}
Your double include guards prevent the one file from including itself when it is re-included by the other. The only way to fix this is you have got to break the cycle. Decide which header is "higher" and will include the "lower" and don't try to include the higher one from the lower one. The lower one must be valid on its own.
The reason for this is that the pre-processor has to transform multiple files into one linear sequence of lines for the compiler. The compiler has to see one set of file contents before the other.
If you have cyclic includes like this you make it up to the final user of the code which one comes first. If they include file A, then it will include file B, which will try to include file A again but it will be prevented by the include guards, so the contents of B will be parsed first. On the other hand if the final user includes B first, then the contents of A will be seen first by the compiler.
So if you leave it like it is, then it is effectively random which file gets included first. If you break the cycle, you get to decide yourself which is included first.
Once you have decided, you can fix the compiler errors about incomplete types by making whichever file you choose to put first able to stand on its own and then letting the one that is second use definitions from the first.
So whenever I try to run my Makefile on my server, it always gives me the error is "Memory.c: 9 error: expected ')' before '*' token. But when I try to run it on my own computer, it works just fine. I've been trying to figure out what is wrong but can't seem to find it.
I've attached the 3 files that are used in this part of my program. Memory.c, Memory.h and ProcessInput.h.
This is Memory.c
/* Initializes memory */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include "memory.h"
void initializeMemory(memory** memArray, int memSize)
{
// Allocating space for memory array
*memArray = malloc(memSize * sizeof(memory));
if(*memArray == NULL)
{
fprintf(stderr, "Error allocating space for array of memory" );
exit(1); // exit(1) = Unsuccessful exit
}
// Initializing the contents within memory array
int i = 0;
for(i = 0; i < memSize; i ++)
{
((*memArray)[i]).occupied = false;
}
}
and this is Memory.h
// Definitions for Memory.c
#define bool int
#define true 1
#define false 0
#include "ProcessInput.h"
// Include guards to prevent redefinition of struct
#ifndef MEMORY_H
#define MEMORY_H
typedef struct memoryDetail
{
process process;
bool occupied;
} memory;
#endif
// Function declaration for memory.c
void initializeMemory(memory** memArray, int memSize);
the only thing used from ProcessInput.h is the process structure defined in ProcessInput.h
This is ProcessInput.h
// Include guards to prevent redefinition of struct
#ifndef PROCESSDETAIL_H
#define PROCESSDETAIL_H
typedef struct processDetail
{
int timeCreated;
int processID;
int memorySize;
int jobTime;
} process;
#endif
// function declarations for ProcessInput.c
void processInput(int* maxSize, int* count, process** processes, char* fileName);
I'm not too sure why it's giving me the error. I don't know where I'm supposed to be putting a missing right brace. Any advice is much appreciated!
edit: As informed, these are the following questions that I looked at but to not avail.
error: expected ‘)’ before ‘*’ token
Multiple of same error while compiling "error: expected ')' before '*' token
http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/288956-error-expected-before-token/
thanks everyone for the help!
#include "memory.h" is different to #include "Memory.h" (i.e. C is case sensitive)
If you tried #include "myfile.h" instead of #include "MyFile.h" the error may be more obvious. In this case it just happens that the compiler finds the system memory.h.
<memory.h> is a header from C library of pre-standard era. It is quite possible that your standard library still provides it and the compiler takes that one instead of yours.
Try renaming your header file and see if it changes anything.
Can anyone explain how to create a header file in C with a simple example from beginning to end.
foo.h
#ifndef FOO_H_ /* Include guard */
#define FOO_H_
int foo(int x); /* An example function declaration */
#endif // FOO_H_
foo.c
#include "foo.h" /* Include the header (not strictly necessary here) */
int foo(int x) /* Function definition */
{
return x + 5;
}
main.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include "foo.h" /* Include the header here, to obtain the function declaration */
int main(void)
{
int y = foo(3); /* Use the function here */
printf("%d\n", y);
return 0;
}
To compile using GCC
gcc -o my_app main.c foo.c
#ifndef MY_HEADER_H
# define MY_HEADER_H
//put your function headers here
#endif
MY_HEADER_H serves as a double-inclusion guard.
For the function declaration, you only need to define the signature, that is, without parameter names, like this:
int foo(char*);
If you really want to, you can also include the parameter's identifier, but it's not necessary because the identifier would only be used in a function's body (implementation), which in case of a header (parameter signature), it's missing.
This declares the function foo which accepts a char* and returns an int.
In your source file, you would have:
#include "my_header.h"
int foo(char* name) {
//do stuff
return 0;
}
myfile.h
#ifndef _myfile_h
#define _myfile_h
void function();
#endif
myfile.c
#include "myfile.h"
void function() {
}
header files contain prototypes for functions you define in a .c or .cpp/.cxx file (depending if you're using c or c++). You want to place #ifndef/#defines around your .h code so that if you include the same .h twice in different parts of your programs, the prototypes are only included once.
client.h
#ifndef CLIENT_H
#define CLIENT_H
short socketConnect(char *host,unsigned short port,char *sendbuf,char *recievebuf, long rbufsize);
#endif /** CLIENT_H */
Then you'd implement the .h in a .c file like so:
client.c
#include "client.h"
short socketConnect(char *host,unsigned short port,char *sendbuf,char *recievebuf, long rbufsize) {
short ret = -1;
//some implementation here
return ret;
}
How can I create global variables that are shared in C? If I put it in a header file, then the linker complains that the variables are already defined. Is the only way to declare the variable in one of my C files and to manually put in externs at the top of all the other C files that want to use it? That sounds not ideal.
In one header file (shared.h):
extern int this_is_global;
In every file that you want to use this global symbol, include header containing the extern declaration:
#include "shared.h"
To avoid multiple linker definitions, just one declaration of your global symbol must be present across your compilation units (e.g: shared.cpp) :
/* shared.cpp */
#include "shared.h"
int this_is_global;
In the header file write it with extern.
And at the global scope of one of the c files declare it without extern.
In the header file
header file
#ifndef SHAREFILE_INCLUDED
#define SHAREFILE_INCLUDED
#ifdef MAIN_FILE
int global;
#else
extern int global;
#endif
#endif
In the file with the file you want the global to live:
#define MAIN_FILE
#include "share.h"
In the other files that need the extern version:
#include "share.h"
You put the declaration in a header file, e.g.
extern int my_global;
In one of your .c files you define it at global scope.
int my_global;
Every .c file that wants access to my_global includes the header file with the extern in.
If you're sharing code between C and C++, remember to add the following to the shared.hfile:
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" {
#endif
extern int my_global;
/* other extern declarations ... */
#ifdef __cplusplus
}
#endif
There is a cleaner way with just one header file so it is simpler to maintain.
In the header with the global variables prefix each declaration with a keyword (I use common) then in just one source file include it like this
#define common
#include "globals.h"
#undef common
and any other source files like this
#define common extern
#include "globals.h"
#undef common
Just make sure you don't initialise any of the variables in the globals.h file or the linker will still complain as an initialised variable is not treated as external even with the extern keyword. The global.h file looks similar to this
#pragma once
common int globala;
common int globalb;
etc.
seems to work for any type of declaration. Don't use the common keyword on #define of course.
There is a more elegant way to create global variables.
Just declare the variables as static inside a ".c" source file and create set/get functions.
The example below I use to override malloc, realloc and free functions during memory allocation tests.
Example:
memory-allocator.h
#ifndef MEMORY_ALLOCATOR_H_
#define MEMORY_ALLOCATOR_H_
#include <stddef.h>
void std_set_memory_allocators(void *(*malloc)(size_t size),
void *(realloc)(void *ptr, size_t size),
void (*free)(void *ptr));
void std_set_reset_allocators();
void *std_malloc(size_t size);
void *std_realloc(void *ptr, size_t size);
void std_free(void *ptr);
#endif // MEMORY_ALLOCATOR_H_
memory-allocator.c
#include "memory-allocator.h"
#include <stddef.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
typedef struct {
void *(*malloc)(size_t size);
void *(*realloc)(void *ptr, size_t size);
void (*free)(void *ptr);
} StdMemoryAllocator;
StdMemoryAllocator memory_allocators = {&malloc, &realloc, &free};
void std_set_memory_allocators(void *(*malloc)(size_t size),
void *(realloc)(void *ptr, size_t size),
void (*free)(void *ptr)) {
memory_allocators.malloc = malloc;
memory_allocators.realloc = realloc;
memory_allocators.free = free;
}
void std_set_reset_allocators() {
memory_allocators.malloc = malloc;
memory_allocators.realloc = realloc;
memory_allocators.free = free;
}
void *std_malloc(size_t size) {
return memory_allocators.malloc(size);
}
void *std_realloc(void *ptr, size_t size) {
return memory_allocators.realloc(ptr, size);
}
void std_free(void *ptr) {
memory_allocators.free(ptr);
}
The struct static struct StdMemoryAllocator_s memory_allocators is started automatically when the application starts, and it point to the default C memory allocators.