Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

proudnerd · May 17th, 2006, 9:28 PM

I just started programming in C++ (I gave up PHP because I realized that web programming isn't for me) and I have a problem already. There are errors when I try to compile my program. If you're going to tell me to search, well, I already did. Anyways, here's my very basic code:

(Toggle Plain Text)

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
    string name = "Spencer";
    cout << name;
}

Jimbo · May 17th, 2006, 9:31 PM

What are your errors? I'm not sure if DaWei's crystal ball is back to operational status yet...

proudnerd · May 17th, 2006, 9:42 PM

If you've ever used Dev-C++, there's four tabs at the bottom. Under the one titled "Linker" there's a big long list of errors.

DaWei · May 17th, 2006, 10:53 PM

It isn't back, but I called the mechanic and got a run-down over the phone. One thing is that you've declared main as returning an int, which is correct, but then you don't return anything. Some compilers will just return trash, some will bitch and throw errors. Handle that, first. Jim's point, incidentally, is that if you see errors, and wish to ask about them, it would be nice to mention them explicitly and accurately. Silly as it seems, they're telling YOU something, and you're telling US nothing.

proudnerd · May 17th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Well, I tried a new compiler (MinGW) and that same code worked perfectly. Sorry that I didn't name the errors, but there were so many of them (I don't know how that's possible, it's such a small program). Anyways, should I start using "return 0;" just incase?

ReggaetonKing · May 17th, 2006, 11:02 PM

would help...

jayme · May 17th, 2006, 11:04 PM

You shouldn't return 0 "just incase." You need to return 0 in order for the program to properly terminate(I've heard). It's such a simple thing to do, so why not add it?

proudnerd · May 17th, 2006, 11:16 PM

Actually jayme, I'm almost positive some compilers automatically do it. But you're right, it's such a small thing, and it's good practice anyway, so I might as well do it.

ReggaetonKing · May 17th, 2006, 11:33 PM

A programmer should NOT rely on the compiler to do all the work for him/her. A compiler just translates the language into native or interpreted code* It's not a matter of good programming practice but just common programming sense.

*depends what programming language it is.

proudnerd · May 17th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Yeah, I just realised that. I'm going to make a habit out of putting "return 0;" at the end of my programs.

May 17th, 2006, 9:28 PM	#1
proudnerd Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Beginner Problem I just started programming in C++ (I gave up PHP because I realized that web programming isn't for me) and I have a problem already. There are errors when I try to compile my program. If you're going to tell me to search, well, I already did. Anyways, here's my very basic code: (Toggle Plain Text) #include <iostream> #include <string> using namespace std; int main() { string name = "Spencer"; cout << name; } #include <iostream> #include <string> using namespace std; int main() { string name = "Spencer"; cout << name; }

May 17th, 2006, 10:53 PM	#4
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	It isn't back, but I called the mechanic and got a run-down over the phone. One thing is that you've declared main as returning an int, which is correct, but then you don't return anything. Some compilers will just return trash, some will bitch and throw errors. Handle that, first. Jim's point, incidentally, is that if you see errors, and wish to ask about them, it would be nice to mention them explicitly and accurately. Silly as it seems, they're telling YOU something, and you're telling US nothing. __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

May 17th, 2006, 11:02 PM	#6
ReggaetonKing Sexy Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 891 Rep Power: 4	would help... __________________ I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code!

May 17th, 2006, 11:33 PM	#9
ReggaetonKing Sexy Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 891 Rep Power: 4	A programmer should NOT rely on the compiler to do all the work for him/her. A compiler just translates the language into native or interpreted code* It's not a matter of good programming practice but just common programming sense. *depends what programming language it is. __________________ I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code!

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May 17th, 2006, 9:31 PM	#2
Jimbo Battle Programmer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA, USA Posts: 770 Rep Power: 3	What are your errors? I'm not sure if DaWei's crystal ball is back to operational status yet...

May 17th, 2006, 9:42 PM	#3
proudnerd Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	If you've ever used Dev-C++, there's four tabs at the bottom. Under the one titled "Linker" there's a big long list of errors.

May 17th, 2006, 11:00 PM	#5
proudnerd Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Well, I tried a new compiler (MinGW) and that same code worked perfectly. Sorry that I didn't name the errors, but there were so many of them (I don't know how that's possible, it's such a small program). Anyways, should I start using "return 0;" just incase?

May 17th, 2006, 11:16 PM	#8
proudnerd Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Actually jayme, I'm almost positive some compilers automatically do it. But you're right, it's such a small thing, and it's good practice anyway, so I might as well do it.

May 17th, 2006, 11:35 PM	#10
proudnerd Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Yeah, I just realised that. I'm going to make a habit out of putting "return 0;" at the end of my programs.

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Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

Beginner Problem