Thread: What's wrong with my compiler?

This is really frustrating. I tried to do even the simplest of variable assignments and I get this:

Error: C:\TCI\test.c 6: Expression syntax in function main

Can someone guide me through how to troubleshoot this please?

Here's the code:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>

void main(void) {
	clrscr();
        char abc='a';
	printf("hello world");
	getch();
}

I'm using borland turbo C, forgot which version. It's the one they have available for free download on their site.
Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by jalnewbie

I'm not sure but I think all variable declarations must come first in the body of the function, hence abc has to be declared before you invoke clrscr()

Correct. With such an old compiler, you are not allowed to have mixed declarations. C99 allows for this. Very few compilers actually support C99, but more will allow mixed declarations through compiler specific extensions.

Originally Posted by peroxide

Is it just me or does anyone else think that this is a really cumbersome way?

I find code with mixed declarations ugly and annoying to read.


Quzah.

I thought borland had updated turbo C. Perhaps I am wrong, I have never really used their products. My friend however does use Borland Studio 2006, which is pretty good

They may have updated it, but at last check, it wouldn't be the free one. They have their museum of old fossils, and I think the latest you can get is Borland 5, the command line version only. Neither of which are C99 compliant. Since their folder is named "TC"-something, it's likely Turbo C 3.x or older.


Quzah.