Why does this statement produce compiler error?

[LithiumOverdosE]

I'm not sure why but this simple code snippet at the line where "char count;" is declared produce following error in CCS: "A numeric expression must appear here."

Code:

#define LCD_ENABLE_PIN PIN_D0
#define LCD_RS_PIN PIN_D1
#define LCD_RW_PIN PIN_D2
#define LCD_TYPE 2
#include <lcd.c>

void main()
{
   set_tris_b(0b00001111);
   
   lcd_init();

   lcd_putc("\fTest...\n");
   lcd_putc("Another one...");
   
   delay_ms(2000);
   
   lcd_putc("\f2 Seconds Later\n");
   lcd_putc("LED high");
   
   output_high(pin_b0);
   
   delay_ms(3000);
   
   lcd_putc("\fN3 Seconds Later\n");
   lcd_putc("LED low");
   

   char count;

         
       for (count = 0; count < 3; count++)
         {
            output_b(0b00000000);
            delay_ms(500);
            output_b(0b11111111);
            delay_ms(500);
         }
         
        
       output_b(0b00000000);
       lcd_putc("\f");
        
   

}

Any ideas? I mean it's just the most standard declaration one could think of so I'm a bit perplexed.

[spasbyspas]

Ok,  Man! This "char count;", must be move to under "void main()" function line exemple:
void main()
{
   char count;
   set_tris_b(0b00001111);

   ...



}

[LithiumOverdosE]

@spasbyspas

Thx m8!  That helped. I wondered why is that so and I realized that C doesn't allow variable declaration except at the very beginning of the function body. C++ on the other hand allows for variable declarations at any point in the function.

I guess I'm so very used to C++ that I really ought to check out ANSI C standard more often. 

[spasbyspas]

Yes, yes in C++ is diffrent !
Best regarts!
SpasBySpas

[cluoiset]

Hi!

I'm just wondering. Why do you have to put it in the main function?
Isn't it better to put it before the main?
Does the compiler produce a different code?

Cluoiset

[LithiumOverdosE]

@cuoiset

You mean something like a global variable? I don't really understand your question.

[orange]

I think you didn't initialize the value of count. Try
char count = 0;

[LithiumOverdosE]

@orange

Thx for the reply but as I said ANSI C only allows for variables to be declared at the beginning of the function body while you can initialize variable at any further point in the function. C++ however allows for variable declaration at any point in the function body.