Multiple definition of a global variable [duplicate]

Answer 1

Because with every include in a implementation file file, a new instance of your struct is created (and stored in the object file).

To avoid this, just declare the struct as "extern" in the header file and initialize it in the implementation file:

// In your header file: 
extern const struct dsm_config DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG;

// In your *.c file:
const struct dsm_config DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG = { AUTO_UNMAP, NO_ENABLE_COA };

This will solve your problem.

Answer 2

Each source file (.c, not .h) is compiled separately. In each of these compilations, the declaration of dsm_config with an initializer (the = { values… } portion) creates a definition of dsm_config. Thus, the whole program has multiple definitions.

Generally, header files should only declare objects and not define them. To do this, remove the initializer in the header file, leaving just the declaration with no initializer. In one source file, define dsm_config by repeating the declaration with the initializer.

Answer 3

Every c-file which includes your header file has the line

const struct dsm_config DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG = { AUTO_UNMAP, NO_ENABLE_COA };

So each of these c files defines a variable dsm_config. If you want only one variable dsm_config you need to change the declaration in the header file to

extern const struct dsm_config DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG;

and add the definition

const struct dsm_config DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG = { AUTO_UNMAP, NO_ENABLE_COA };

in only one c file.

Another, not so good solution is to make change the header file to

static const struct dsm_config DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG = { AUTO_UNMAP, NO_ENABLE_COA };

Then each c-file defines it's own dsm_config which is not visible to other translation units during link time.

Answer 4

In C language const objects have external linkage by default (as opposed to C++ where they have internal linkage by default). So, in your code you created multiple definitions of an object DEFAULT_DSM_CONFIG with external linkage - a clear violation of definition rules of C language.

Either declare your object as static const (if you don't mind having multiple objects with internal linkage) or remove the definition from the header file (leave only a non-defining extern const declaration there).

Anyway, the question has been asked many times before. See constant variables not working in header or do a search.