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cgcc

different initializ and sign pointer value in global and function

I know I will get many down grade regarding this question, but I still write following test code:

int *gPtr;
//I know I can NOT write below code line, but I need know WHY
gPtr = NULL;//or some other value which I want to init it
//int *gPtr = NULL; //this line should be OK

int main (void)
{
    int *ptr;
    ptr = NULL;
    return 0;
}

The global *gPtr during compile will output error:

ptr.c:4:1: warning: data definition has no type or storage class [enabled by default]
ptr.c:4:1: error: conflicting types for ‘gPtr’
ptr.c:3:6: note: previous declaration of ‘gPtr’ was here
ptr.c:4:8: warning: initialization makes integer from pointer without a cast [enabled by default]

However, in the function, I did same code, but no compile error/warning, I would like to know:

  • what is the different between sign a value in global and function.
  • why compiler do NOT allow me sign value in global area.
  • what is different between int a = 0; and int a; a=0;//no other code between these two sentences

please give me advise for above three questions according to the compiler view(or you think it should have other explanation in some others view like coding standard?)

Solution

  • You can define a global variable with an initial value:

    int *gPtr = NULL;

    But you cannot do an assignment outside of a function scope. The compiler (well, at least my clang compiler) actually interprets

    gPtr = NULL;

    in the global scope as

    int gPtr = NULL;

    which causes similar warnings and a conflicting types error:

    warning: type specifier missing, defaults to 'int' [-Wimplicit-int]
gPtr = NULL;
^~~~
error: redefinition of 'gPtr' with a different type: 'int' vs 'int *'
note: previous definition is here
int *gPtr;

    Global variable without an explicit initial value are automatically initialized to zero, therefore in your case

    int *gPtr;

    would be sufficient (as @WhozCraig already commented above).