how to create .h header files for .c files?


Hi, I have a program that I just wrote, but really its just a program that will be used by a larger program that I am working on. The larger program will run some functions in the small program, accessing some of its global arrays/variables to extract information.

I never knew how to create a header file so that this large program can include it. I think what i use to do was just "include small_prog.c" but I know thats not correct.

So how do we go about creating a header file?

The small program basically has:
-1 global array variable pointer
-3-4 int variables
- includes math.h, time.h, stdio.h, stdlib.h ctype.h
- #define MAX_ARRAY_SIZE 100
- a main function (only used if your running the file on its own)
- several functions that perform instructions to modify the above variables.

an example of this could be:
----------------------------------
small_prog.c

#include
#include
#include
#include
#include


#define MAX_ARRAY_LENGTH 100
int* matrix_array;
int dimension=0;
int matrix_mode=0;
int x = 0;

void func1 (int x);
float func2 (float y);
int func3 (char a);

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
....
.
.
and so on
----------------------------------

So I want to include this small program in a large program, by refering to a .h file. but what do i write in the h file?
Jenna

Comments

  • [color=Blue]Header file contains function prototypes, structure declarations, constant definitions, like #define.[/color]
    [code]
    //
    // MODULE1.H FILE:
    //
    void func1 (int x);
    float func2 (float y);
    int func3 (char a);
    [/code]
    [color=Blue]Source file contains function bodies. It is preferred that names of both files are same, but they have different extension, like MODULE1.H and MODULE1.C:[/color]
    [code]
    //
    // MODULE1.C FILE:
    //
    #include "MODULE1.H"

    void func1 (int x)
    {
    // ... your implementation here ...
    }

    float func2 (float y)
    {
    // ... your implementation here ...
    }

    int func3 (char a)
    {
    // ... your implementation here ...
    }
    [/code]

    [color=Blue]After these TWO files are done they are used in a project - or you call it a large program. Usually, the development environment which you use has the ability to insert files into project. You need to insert both files into projects and then just "#include ".h"" into other C files of the project where you need those functions.

    If you do not have an environment (like Dev-C++ or Visual C++ or something else...) then "include .c" is the way to go.

    There are few other ways: like to compile the C file into .OBJ file and then use LINK tool to build the full program. It is usually done by the environment, but you can also do it manually - using command line tools.
    [/color]
  • And don't forget to put your header code between [link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Include_guard]include guards[/link] to avoid problems with multiple inclusions.

    Like this:

    module1.h:
    [code]
    #ifndef MODULE1_H_
    #define MODULE1_H_

    //
    // MODULE1.H FILE:
    //
    void func1 (int x);
    float func2 (float y);
    int func3 (char a);

    #endif // MODULE1_H_

    [/code]
  • You can find the complete details and the tutorial on creating header files in c from the below link

    [link=http://www.beginners-tutorials.com/2012/05/how-to-create-our-own-header-files-in-c.html]How To Create Header And Library Files in C[/link]

    Regards:
    Srinath Reddy.
    http://www.beginners-tutorials.com
  • check the below link for complete tutorial on creating header files in c.

    [link=http://www.beginners-tutorials.com/2012/05/how-to-create-our-own-header-files-in-c.html]How To Create Header And Library Files in C[/link]
    Regards:
    D.srinath Reddy
    Admin
    http://www.beginners-tutorials.com
  • It is very simple. Follow the steps below:
    1. Create a .h file.
    2. Create a .c file and include the header file in it.
    Find more about how to create own header files in C Programming here: C Program To Create Your Own Header Files
    This is the sample:

    include<stdio.h>

    include"newheaderfile.h"

    void main()
    {
    printf("Sum:\t", sum(10,20));
    }

  • A header file is a file with extension .h which contains C function declarations and macro definitions to be shared between several source files. There are two types of header files: the files that the programmer writes and the files that comes with your compiler.

    You request to use a header file in your program by including it with the C preprocessing directive #include, like you have seen inclusion of stdio.h header file, which comes along with your compiler.

    Including a header file is equal to copying the content of the header file but we do not do it because it will be error-prone and it is not a good idea to copy the content of a header file in the source files, especially if we have multiple source files in a program.

    A simple practice in C or C++ programs is that we keep all the constants, macros, system wide global variables, and function prototypes in the header files and include that header file wherever it is required.

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