Understanding the Need for extern "C" in C
C and C share similarities in syntax, but their compilation processes diverge significantly. Compiling a header file with a C compiler expects C code. However, when including a header that adheres to C standards, it becomes necessary to explicitly define it using the "extern "C"" directive.
This directive instructs the compiler to assume that the header follows the C Application Binary Interface (ABI). Without it, the linker may encounter incompatibilities, as C 's ABI typically modifies function names with name mangling.
To resolve these issues, follow these steps:
Remember, for most system headers, the "extern "C"" directive is already present, as they are designed to support inclusion in both C and C code. Therefore, it's crucial to use this directive when manually including C headers to avoid potential linker errors.
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