C++ compiler error c4430 "c++ doesnt support default int"

Question

Hi im trying to define an alias called USHORT.

// Demonstrates typedef keyword
#include <iostream>

typedef unsigned short int USHORT;  // typedef defined

main() {
    USHORT  Width = 5;
    USHORT Length;
    Length = 10;
    USHORT Area  = Width * Length;
    std::cout << "Width:" << Width << "\n";
    std::cout << "Length: "  << Length << std::endl;
    std::cout << "Area: " << Area;
}

I keep getting a compiler error saying:

Error 1 error C4430: missing type specifier - int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int c:\users\naqvi-home\documents\justit\c++\w1\cp1\list0304.cpp 8 1 ConsoleApplication3

Thanks

Note: most compilers point out at the line the error message originated from, WHERE does the compiler point in your example ? — Matthieu M., Mar 03 '13 at 14:07
it says the error is on line 8, or around line 8. using visual studios 2013 express — Rehan Naqvi, Mar 03 '13 at 14:02

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 03 '13 at 13:59

13

It has nothing to do with your typedef. The problem is that you haven't given a return type for main:

int main()
{
  // ...
}

A function must have a return type. The main function must return int.

answered Mar 03 '13 at 13:59

Joseph Mansfield

108,238
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just added a return 0 to the end of the main, still has the same problem. – Rehan Naqvi Mar 03 '13 at 14:03
1

@RehanNaqvi You need to say that the return type is `int`. See the example I gave. – Joseph Mansfield Mar 03 '13 at 14:04
ok thanks mate works now. sorry im new to c++ lol btw i just was curious , is the syntax when coding in c++ with a text editor different to coding within an ide. For example i with "#include " in a text editor would it be the same or would i have to change it to "#include ". Same goes for when you want to "cout", in an ide it seems i have to do "std::cout" whereas in a text editor i could just do "cout" without the pre "std::" – Rehan Naqvi Mar 03 '13 at 14:09
1

@RehanNaqvi The syntax for C++ is the same everywhere. An IDE is just a glorified text editor. There is no header `iostream.h`, you should do `#include `. All of the C++ library headers *do not* end in `.h`. However, the C library headers *do*. When you `#include `, the `cout` object is in the `std` namespace - you must qualify it with `std::cout` (unless you do something like `using namespace std;` - but that is **very naughty**). – Joseph Mansfield Mar 03 '13 at 14:12

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 03 '13 at 14:07

3

You can easily look up the explanation for the error, by googling the error code. E.g. googling for 'C4430' would lead you here. The reason is, as others have stated, that you haven't declared the return type for main function.

answered Mar 03 '13 at 14:07

Zdeslav Vojkovic

14,391
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score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 03 '13 at 14:00

2

I don't believe you need the extra int in the typedef, I thought from memory unsigned short (by default) is an int.

answered Mar 03 '13 at 14:00

TheLazyChap

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removed the int in the typedef defintion, still getting the same error – Rehan Naqvi Mar 03 '13 at 14:04
I removed the int and compiled it on my MaC works fine. I've also added a return type to main. – TheLazyChap Mar 03 '13 at 14:08

C++ compiler error c4430 "c++ doesnt support default int"

3 Answers3

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