Structure type definition in different files?

[WaterWalk]

I read from c99 std TC2 community draft, and found the following
statement in 6.7.2.3:

"Tw o declarations of structure, union, or enumerated types which are
in different scopes or
use different tags declare distinct types. Each declaration of a
structure, union, or
enumerated type which does not include a tag declares a distinct type."

Then consider this common practice. Struct A type is defined in a
header. This header is included by two .c files. After preprocessing,
the struct A type definition is included in those two files. According
to the description of the standard, in those two files, struct A types
definitions will be considered to be two distinct types. I don't know
if I'm right here. But this relly sounds weird.

 

[Eric Sosman]

I read from c99 std TC2 community draft, and found the following
statement in 6.7.2.3:

"Tw o declarations of structure, union, or enumerated types which are
in different scopes or
use different tags declare distinct types. Each declaration of a
structure, union, or
enumerated type which does not include a tag declares a distinct type."

Then consider this common practice. Struct A type is defined in a
header. This header is included by two .c files. After preprocessing,
the struct A type definition is included in those two files. According
to the description of the standard, in those two files, struct A types
definitions will be considered to be two distinct types. I don't know
if I'm right here. But this relly sounds weird.

Yes, they are distinct types. But they are
"compatible types;" see 6.2.7 paragraph 1.

 

[pete]

I read from c99 std TC2 community draft, and found the following
statement in 6.7.2.3:

"Tw o declarations of structure, union, or enumerated types which are
in different scopes or
use different tags declare distinct types. Each declaration of a
structure, union, or
enumerated type which does not
include a tag declares a distinct type."

Then consider this common practice. Struct A type is defined in a
header. This header is included by two .c files. After preprocessing,
the struct A type definition is included in those two files. According
to the description of the standard, in those two files, struct A types
definitions will be considered to be two distinct types. I don't know
if I'm right here. But this relly sounds weird.

I have code like that.
It does really seem weird.

 

[WaterWalk]

Eric Sosman 写é“：

Yes, they are distinct types. But they are
"compatible types;" see 6.2.7 paragraph 1.

Thanks for your help. This rule is similar to C++'s "One Definition
Rule". But IMO the C++'s ODR seems more clear. Interesting.