C++: How to resolve implicit declaration compile error?

user_14102489 0
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I'm learning C++. With this super basic example, I'm able to perform a PowerShell command.

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
   system("powershell.exe New-Item -ItemType File -Name cpp_test");
   return 0;
}

When compiled in Debian, I get the following (non fatal?) error message:

$ x86_64-w64-mingw32-gcc test.c -o test.exe

test.c: In function ‘main’:
test.c:3:4: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘system’ [-Wimplicit-function-declaration]
    system("powershell.exe New-Item -ItemType File -Name cpp_test");
    ^~~~~~

I looked up the implicit declaration error but don't quite understand how it applies to my example. Can someone try explaining it to a five yr old...

Revised, test.cpp:

#include <cstdlib>
int main() {
   system("powershell.exe New-Item -ItemType File -Name cpp_test");
   return 0;
}
system c windows c++
1 Answers

The C function system is declared in the C++ header <cstdlib> (or in C in the header <stdlib.h>)

So if your program is a C++ program then substitute the header <stdio.h> that is not used in your program for

#include <cstdlib>

Otherwise write

#include <stdlib.h>

Supporting the backward compatibility the compiler assumes that the function declared somewhere else and it is unable to check whether the call of the function is correct.

user_28772410
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