Thread: Newbie- having trouble with functions

Can anyone help a rookie new to C who is working hard to figure out and get comfortable with functions?? Below is my code for a program that is to prompt user for input to draw a shape by invoking the corresponding function. Right now I cannot get it to compile. I am getting an error "C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\project2.c(70) : error C2143: syntax error : missing ';' before 'type' " [reference line is: int circle (int shape) ].
Could someone please take a look at my code? I am still working to understand functions and even all the concepts of C. I have not been able to locate the source of the error and am also afraid even if I can that I may have used incorrect data types, called the functions incorrectly, etc. Any and all suggestions and assistance would be appreciated. Thanks,

Code:

/*This program will draw a shape based on a value entered*/
/*by the user until the sentinel value is entered to terminate*/
/* the program.  */
#include <stdio.h>
int circle (int shape);
int triangle(int shape);
int rectangle (int shape);
int line(int shape);

int main()
{
	
int shape=0;  /* Initialize variable */

printf("This program will draw a shape on your screen based on \n"); /*Prompt user for correct input*/
printf("your selection from the following menu: \n \n");
printf("1. Draw a circle. \n");
printf("2. Draw a triangle. \n");
printf("3. Draw a rectangle. \n");
printf("4. Print one blank line. \n");
printf("5. Exit program.\n \n");
printf("Enter your choice: \n");
scanf("%d", &shape); /* Read value user enters from keyboard */
fflush(stdin);
  
  while (shape != 5) {  /*While loop to continue program until sentinel value is entered*/
	  {
   printf("This program will draw a shape on your screen based on \n"); /*Prompt user for correct input*/
   printf("your selection from the following menu: \n \n"); /*Reprompts user for input each time loop is ran*/
   printf("1. Draw a circle. \n");
   printf("2. Draw a triangle. \n");
   printf("3. Draw a rectangle. \n");
   printf("4. Print one blank line.");
   printf("5. Exit program.");
   printf("Enter your choice: \n");

   scanf("%d", &shape); /* Read value user enters from keyboard */
   fflush(stdin);
	  
   switch (shape)   /* switch nested in while to draw shape corresponding to the integer input*/
		                 /*by a call issued to correct function */ 
	   {
   case 1:
	   printf("Circle printed below as requested: \n \n ", circle);
	   break;

   case 2:
	   printf("Triangle printed below as requested: \n \n", triangle);
	   break;

   case 3:
	   printf("Rectangle printed below as requested: \n \n", rectangle);
	   break;

   case 4: 
	   printf("Blank line printed below as requested: \n \n", line);
	   break;

   default:
	   printf("Incorrect value entered, please reenter. \n \n");
	   break;
	   }
	  }
	  
printf("You have terminated the program.  Thank you for using the shapes program!\n");
return 0;
}	
      	
	 int circle (int shape)
	    {	
		 printf("     * * *      \n");
		 printf("    *      *     \n");
		 printf("    *      *     \n");
		 printf("     * * *      \n");
		 return shape;
	    }

	 int triangle (int shape)	 
	    { 
		 printf("           *        \n");
		 printf("       *      *     \n");
		 printf("     *         *     \n");
		 printf("    ********    \n");
		 return shape;
	    }

	 int square (int shape)	 
	    { 
		 printf("    ********    \n");
		 printf("    *            *    \n");
		 printf("    *            *    \n");
		 printf("    *            *    \n");
		 printf("    ********    \n");
		 return shape;
	    }

	int line(int shape)
	    {
		 printf("\n");
		 printf("You have printed one blank line.");
		 return shape;
	    }

Vtc also has a C programming course, where they advise to use it. Also 'The art of computer programming" by Lawlor advises to use it.
I only learnt not to use it here...

I wonder where it came from

Originally Posted by computerfreaks

Wasn't really thinking!! will remember that......

on the note of fflush(stdin).... I was reading my book "SAMS: Teach yourself C in 21 Days" only to discover that the writer uses it all the time!!

That really surprised me, no wonder so many use it incorrectly.

They will tell you to use feof() to control a loop, as well as give plenty of examples of global variables (not that global variables are evil, but in many of the examples they were not necessary). There could be other little things there too, but I can't remember...

~/