C2732 - Linkage specification error

Question

I'm using VS2008. I'm getting the following error.

BUILD: [02:0000000295:ERRORE] c:\wince700\platform\am33x_bsp\src\bootloader\bootpart\bootpart_e.cpp(61) : error C2732: linkage specification contradicts earlier specification for 'SdhcInitialize' {log="C:\WINCE700\platform\AM33X_BSP\SRC\BOOTLOADER\bldsys.log(103)"}
BUILD: [02:0000000297:ERRORE] NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'C:\WINCE700\sdk\bin\i386\ARM\cl.EXE' : return code '0x2' {log="C:\WINCE700\platform\AM33X_BSP\SRC\BOOTLOADER\bldsys.log(104)"}
BUILD: [02:0000000299:ERRORE]  clean TargetCompilePass  -nologo BUILDMSG=Stop.  BUILDROOT=C:\WINCE700\platform\AM33X_BSP CLEANBUILD=1 NOLINK=1 NOPASS0=1 failed - rc = 2. {log="C:\WINCE700\platform\AM33X_BSP\SRC\BOOTLOADER\bldsys.log(105)"}

file_1.cpp

extern "C"
{
   // some extern declarations
   extern void SdhcInitialize(DWORD slot);
}

file_2.c

void SdhcInitialize(DWORD slot)
{
//some code
}

Please guide me how to resolve.

Ostap

What is SD_API_STATUS? And is there more written in the error log? Please update the question to include the complete (and unedited) log. – Hexachlorophene

Are you sure there are no other declarations/definitions of SdhcInitialize? – Eyestalk

I'm assuming that is a status code return type, not a macro with declaration specifiers. – Palaeontography

@JoachimPileborg It is just a structure. But, for simplicity I have updated my question with void. Also, I have included the unedited log. Thanks. – Ostap

@Eyestalk In the file_1.cpp, No. There is only one declaration of it. But, in one .c file, that function has been declared without "C" in extern. Does it involve in this? – Ostap

Are your other declarations missing extern or having static? Are you including .c files in .cpp files (like #include "file_2.c" in some C++ file). Why not have header file_2.h` with needed extern declarations, which would be included to other files, instead of having externs all over the place like you have now? – Eyestalk

Answer 1

I'm guessing that you have a header that contains a prototype for the SdhcInitialize() function, and that the header was written for use by C programs. So for example, the header file might include something like the following line:

SD_API_STATUS SdhcInitialize(DWORD slot);

without being enclosed in an extern "C" {} block (since the header is intended for C programs).

Additionally, I suspect that this header is being included - directly or indirectly - by file_1.cpp

This means that the header cannot be included in a C++ program without some additional work being done, otherwise the C++ program will see the declaration as meaning that SdhcInitialize() has C++ linkage.

You have two reasonable approaches to fixing this:

• if you can modify the header, add the following lines around the declarations in the header:

    #if __cplusplus
    extern "C" {
    #endif
  
    // declarations go here
  
    #if __cplusplus
    }
    #endif
  

  This way, C++ files will have the declarations enclosed in a extern "C" linkage block, while C program will not see the extern "C" bits (which would otherwise confuse the C compiler).

  I think an argument can be made that all C headers should include something like those lines so that the C functions can be consumed by C++ programs without hassle.

• if you cannot modify the header for some reason, you can work around the problem by including the header in C++ files like so:

    extern "C" {
    #include "Sdhc-header.h"
    }
  

Patella

Thanks. I have included __cplusplus as mentioned, but error persists. You have mentioned I suspect that this header is being included - directly or indirectly - by file_1.cpp. Actually, I have another file which has .c extension, wherein I have just declared extern without "C". Is it any kind of reason behind this error? – Ostap

Does bootpart_e.cpp include some file (including indirectly) that declares SdhcInitialize(). If you have trouble determining this, using the /P option will send the preprocessor output to a file and you can search that file for all instances of SdhcInitialize to see where the declarations are coming from. – Patella

Answer 2

If you surround a set of function declaration by extern "C" { ... }, you don't need to use an additionnal externkeyword in front of the function identifier.

extern "C"
{
   // some extern declarations
   SD_API_STATUS SdhcInitialize(DWORD slot);
}

Instal

Thanks. But, even removing that extern doesn't make any changes to that error. – Ostap

I got the same warning, when I used a "double extern", the warning disappear when I remove one extern, but WHY ?, the extern "C" is different than extern ? – Imperial

Answer 3

When you try to include the "some header files of C" file in "C++ file"(the header file has some where extern "C" for some functions).

include the header earlier will solve the problem.

e.g. Try to move #include "myHeader.h" on the top lines of your C++ file.

This solves my problems.

Hope it helps....

Debag

This work for me, thanks! (Although I don't really know why Q_Q) – Minutely

Answer 4

I have solved this as follows (the other solutions did not work for me):

In the file vector.cc:

#define __INVECTOR //solves 
#include "vector.h"

In vector.h:

#ifndef __INVECTOR
void function(...etc..);
#endif

This way the declaration isn't read unless we want to call the function from a different file.

Beaird