Question

I have a question regarding gcc. Why I get an error of unused variable when I define the variable locally in a function but not when the variable is global in a unique file?.

I can understand that it can be use for someone else, but to do that then I need to put the external word right?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If by ‘global in a unique file’, you mean 'int x;' outside of any function, the it’s not the compilers job to detect that, the variable needs to be available to the linker in case another compilation unit needs it (such as errno).

If you meant 'static int x' where it’s not made available to the linker, this is probably just a choice made by GCC. I don’t believe compilers are required to notify of this and it does no real damage other than wasting a few bytes in your address space.