Hi,

The otherday I was simply compiling some stuff I had written many, many moons ago and came across a very strange compilation error.

Whilst compiling a program which is using '_start()' as its startingpoint in stead of the more common 'main()', I ran into a compilation error the meaning of which I felt hard to fathom as it was beyond all logic. Something about 'illegal type for _start()' and '_start() was defined here: .....'. I can't really reconstruct it as I've remedied the problem.

The problem only occured when including both 'dos/startup.h' and 'proto/utility.h>'.

This sequence would give offence to the compiler:

#include <dos/startup.h>
#include <proto/utility.h>

whereas this sequence would sooth the compiler:

#include <proto/utility.h>
#include <dos/startup.h>

The remedy I applied, albeit a crude one, was:

#ifdef DOSLIB_STARTUP_H
# error Include <proto/utility.h> BEFORE <dos/startup.h>!
#endif

This nifty piece of preprocessor code went into 'proto/utility.h' right before:

#ifndef UTILITY_UTILITY_H

Now the compilation halts issuing that error message. It is up to you to react according to it and from that moment onwards Bob's your uncle!

Thought I would let you know as it can become quite frustrating when one little piece of software compiles and the other doesn't and you are left clueless as to the why of it.

OldFart