Ultra-newbie question

**Sharke** · 06-26-2008

I'm taking baby steps with C after having been spoiled with Python.

Can someone tell me why this gives me "error C2143: syntax error : missing ';' before 'type'"? The line with the error is the line "int num;".

Code:

int main(void)
{
    printf("Hello");
    int num; 
    return 0;
}

It's not supposed to do anything in particular of course - I was just wondering why declaring a variable after the "printf" statement like this is a syntax error. Are you always supposed to declare variables right at the start of a function before anything else? If so, why?

**MacGyver** · 06-26-2008

Originally Posted by Sharke

Are you always supposed to declare variables right at the start of a function before anything else?

For C89, variables must be declared at the start of a block of code (ie. after a {). For C99 and C++, it's not required.

Originally Posted by Sharke

If so, why?

It's a good practice, and keeps your code clean.

**Sharke** · 06-26-2008

Originally Posted by MacGyver

For C89, variables must be declared at the start of a block of code (ie. after a {). For C99 and C++, it's not required.

It's a good practice, and keeps your code clean.

Understood. I am using Visual C++ for a compiler - does this mean that it's compiling C89? I'm not sure how to set or change this.

**MacGyver** · 06-26-2008

Yes, it's probably trying harder to attain to C89, although unless you turn up the warning levels it will probably let a lot of things slide by. Elysia or someone else more familiar with VC++ would be able to tell you how to change it, depending of course on what version you are using.

I would recommend keeping your code compliant for both C standards if possible. With that said, if you wish to make your code either C89 or C99 specific, that is fine as long as you pick something as a standard.

**Elysia** · 06-27-2008

VC++ does not support C99 to my knowledge.
You'll have to get another compiler or stick to C89.

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