Static variables are not being initialized

Question

I'm using the Yagarto GCC compiler and I'm finding problems when using local static variables. All of them are initialized by me to zero when declaring it. But when debugging execution, I find they are not being initialized:

Example:

void hello( void ){
    static int number_hellos = 0;

    number_hellos++;

    printf("%d\n", number_hellos);

}

When debugger reaches number_hellos++ , I find its initial value is not 0. Why? Is there any compiler or linker flag I should enable?

Answer 1

This static initialization:

static int number_hellos = 0;

happens only once. Actually in compile time. Not when entering the function.

Answer 2

Thanks for your help

Finally I detected the problem: The startup code was not correctly initializing the static variables. That's the reason why the execution arrives to the function hello, the static variable is unitialized.

A correct startup code fixes the problem.

Thanks again