Programming Forums - View Single Post - question about header files and prototyping functions

L7Sqr · Sep 5th, 2005, 3:32 PM

Header files generally contain function declarations (not definitions), structures, enums, and defined variables (i.e. #define ...)
They can also include other header files.

C files contain the definitions of the functions contained in the header as well as other functions (possibly static) declared and defined within the file.

When you compile with gcc, by default everything is linked for you, which is why you will sometimes get linker errors regarding unfound functions...

You can stop before the link stage as well as at other points.
man gcc will give you all the details.

Sep 5th, 2005, 3:32 PM	#3
L7Sqr Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: here Posts: 152 Rep Power: 4	Header files generally contain function declarations (not definitions), structures, enums, and defined variables (i.e. #define ...) They can also include other header files. C files contain the definitions of the functions contained in the header as well as other functions (possibly static) declared and defined within the file. When you compile with gcc, by default everything is linked for you, which is why you will sometimes get linker errors regarding unfound functions... You can stop before the link stage as well as at other points. man gcc will give you all the details. __________________ "...and though our kids are blessed their parents let them shoulder all the blame." - The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows [BrandNew]