Could somebody tell me how to fix this compiling error?

Code:

---

        #define VARIED_LENGTH_STRINGS
       
        #ifdef        VARIED_LENGTH_STRINGS
       
       
                char        *copy;
        #else       
                char        copy[45];
        #endif

---

and the error I get is this:
syntax error : missing ';' before 'type'

the error points to the line char *copy;
so I think the error is right before this line, but I can't figure out where the semicolon should go.

Need to see more code..... what comes before this lot?

it's at the start of a function... that's why i didn't include more code, but if it helps:

Code:

---

static int XYZ (char *a, int b, int c, int d, int *e)
{
        blength=addr2 - addr1 + 1;
         
        #define VARIED_LENGTH_STRINGS
       
        #ifdef        VARIED_LENGTH_STRINGS
       
       
                char        *copy;
        #else       
                char        copy[45];
        #endif

---

In C89 standard C, variable must be declared at the top of a block. In your code the line
>char *copy;
is a declaration, and this is code:
>blength=addr2 - addr1

Try moving the blength=... line below the #endif line.

Also, I presume these are global variables?:
>blength, addr2, addr1

that seemed to do the trick... now off to fight the battle with my link errors. Also, in response to your second question, yes all three are global variables.

Thanks for your help Hammer.

Peace