此函数声明中是否存在语法错误？

Question

This is from a textbook:

/* This function locates the address of where a new structure
   should be inserted within an existing list.
   It receives the address of a name and returns the address of a
   structure of type NameRec
*/
struct NameRec *linear Locate(char *name)
{
...
}

I understand it returns a pointer to a struct NameRec. Why is "linear" there and why is there a space between "linear" and "Locate"?

Answer 1

#define linear

will make it syntactically correct even if it wasn't before (though, technically, you'd probably want a #undef linear beforehand to avoid possible conflicting macro definitions).

It depends entirely on the context of the code, which you haven't shown. As it stands now, with no header inclusions or definitions like -Dlinear= on the compiler command line, it would not compile in a standards-conformant environment without extensions.

The best way to tell, of course, is to just try to actually compile the thing and see what happens :-)

Given that the solutions link for chapter 13 (the one you're asking about) has no mention of the linear word in the solution, I'd say it's a safe bet to assume your book is incorrect. I'd consider contacting the author (apparently currently working at FDU in New Jersey) to clear it up.

Answer 2

It's a typo in the book. See the locate function here:

https://users.ipfw.edu/chansavj/ACY2017/ANSI_C/ANSI_C_4thEd/Solutions%20to%20Exercises%20(Windows)/Solutions/83556-0s/Ch13/pgm13-5ex3.c

(Posted by ta.speot.is in the comments)