Troubleshooting C Programs | Error in math.h library

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around troubleshooting errors encountered when compiling C programs, specifically related to the math.h library. Participants explore issues with undefined references to mathematical functions, share code snippets, and discuss compilation flags necessary for linking libraries.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports an undefined reference error for the `cos` function when compiling a C program, suggesting it may be related to the math.h library.
  • Another participant inquires whether the `cos()` function is present in their version of math.h and questions if the absence of a space after the #include directive could affect compilation.
  • It is noted that other mathematical functions like `sin()` and `tan()` also produce errors, while the custom function `absval()` does not raise any issues.
  • A suggestion is made to use the `-lm` option during compilation to link the math library, which resolves the issue for one participant.
  • Questions arise about the necessity of the `-lm` option, with one participant explaining that it is required to link the math library.
  • Participants discuss various text editors and IDEs suitable for C programming, including vim, xemacs, and Eclipse, sharing personal preferences and experiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the necessity of specific formatting in include statements, but there is agreement that using the `-lm` option resolves the linking issue with the math library. Multiple viewpoints on text editors and IDEs are presented without a clear preference established.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific requirements for including libraries in C programs and the impact of formatting on compilation. The discussion includes various personal experiences with different programming environments.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals troubleshooting C programming errors, particularly those related to library linking, as well as those seeking recommendations for text editors and IDEs for C development.

DrKareem
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Hello guys. I'm having some problems when compiling some C programs. I can't troubleshoot them since I'm not very proficient with C. But it seems that this error comes from the math.h library, maybe the include is different for Linux.

This is the error I'm getting:
Kareem@Kareem:~/prog/secant$ cc main.c
/tmp/cciW3fYU.o(.text+0x219): In function `F':
: undefined reference to `cos'
collect2: ld returned 1 exit status

this is the code:

Code:
/*
*   SECANT ALGORITHM 2.4
*
*   To find a solution to the equation f(x) = 0
*   given initial approximations p0 and p1:
*
*   INPUT:   initial approximation p0, p1; tolerance TOL;
*            maximum number of iterations N0.
*
*   OUTPUT:  approximate solution p or
*            a message that the algorithm fails.
*
*/

#include<stdio.h>
#include<math.h>
#define true 1
#define false 0

main()
{
   double P0,F0,P1,F1,P,FP,TOL;
   int I,NO,OK,FLAG;
   FILE *OUP[1];

   double absval(double);
   double F(double);
   void INPUT(int *, double *, double *, double *, int *);
   void OUTPUT(FILE **, int *);

   INPUT(&OK, &P0, &P1, &TOL, &NO);
   if (OK) {
      OUTPUT(OUP, &FLAG);
      /* STEP 1 */ 
      I = 2;      
      F0 = F(P0);
      F1 = F(P1);
      OK = true;                                
      /* STEP 2 */ 
      while ((I<=NO) && OK) {   
	 /* STEP 3 */ 
	 /* compute P(I) */ 
	 P = P1 - F1 * (P1 - P0) / (F1 - F0);

	 /* STEP 4 */  
	 FP = F(P);  
	 if (FLAG == 2) fprintf(*OUP,"%3d   %15.8e   %15.8e \n",I,P,FP); 
	 if (absval(P - P1) < TOL) {
	    /* procedure completed successfully */
	    fprintf(*OUP,"\nApproximate solution P = %12.8f\n",P);
	    fprintf(*OUP,"with F(P) = %12.8f\n",FP);
	    fprintf(*OUP,"Number of iterations = %3d",I);
	    fprintf(*OUP,"    Tolerance = %14.8e\n",TOL);
	    OK = false;
	 }
	 else {
	    /* STEP 5 */ 
	    I++; 
	    
	    /* STEP 6 */ 
	    /* update P0, F0, P1, F1 */ 
	    P0 = P1;
	    F0 = F1;
	    P1 = P;
	    F1 = FP;
	 }
      }
      if (OK) {
	 /* STEP 7 */ 
	 /* procedure completed unsuccessfully */       
	 fprintf(*OUP,"\nIteration number %3d",NO);
	 fprintf(*OUP," gave approximation %12.8f\n",P);
	 fprintf(*OUP,"F(P) = %12.8f not within tolerance : %15.8e\n",FP,TOL);
      }
      fclose(*OUP);
   }
   return 0;
}

/* Change function F for a new problem */
double F(double X)
{
   double f; 

   f = cos(X) - X;
   return f;
}

void INPUT(int *OK, double *P0, double *P1, double *TOL, int *NO)
{
   char AA;

   printf("This is the Secant Method.\n");
   printf("Has the function F been created in the program immediately preceding\n");
   printf("the INPUT function?\n");
   printf("Enter Y or N\n");
   scanf("%c",&AA);
   if ((AA == 'Y') || (AA == 'y')) {
      *OK = false;
      while (!(*OK)) {
	 printf("Input initial approximations P0 and P1 separated by blank\n");
	 scanf("%lf %lf", P0, P1);
	 if (*P0 == *P1) printf("P0 cannot equal P1\n");
	 else *OK = true;
      } 
      *OK = false;
      while(!(*OK)) {
	 printf("Input tolerance\n");
	 scanf("%lf", TOL);
	 if (*TOL <= 0.0) printf("Tolerance must be positive\n");
	 else *OK = true;
      }
      *OK = false;
      while (!(*OK)) {
	 printf("Input maximum number of iterations - no decimal point\n");
	 scanf("%d", NO);
	 if (*NO <= 0) printf("Must be positive integer\n");
	 else *OK = true;
      }
   }
   else {
      printf("The program will end so that the function F can be created\n");
      *OK = false;
   }
}

void OUTPUT(FILE **OUP, int *FLAG)
{
   char NAME[30];

   printf("Select output destination\n");
   printf("1. Screen\n");
   printf("2. Text file\n");
   printf("Enter 1 or 2\n");
   scanf("%d", FLAG);
   if (*FLAG == 2) {
      printf("Input the file name in the form - drive:name.ext\n");
      printf("For example:   A:OUTPUT.DTA\n");
      scanf("%s", NAME);
      *OUP = fopen(NAME, "w");
   }
   else *OUP = stdout;
   printf("Select amount of output\n");
   printf("1. Answer only\n");
   printf("2. All intermeditate approximations\n");
   printf("Enter 1 or 2\n");
   scanf("%d", FLAG);
   fprintf(*OUP,"Secant Method\n");
   if (*FLAG == 2) fprintf(*OUP, "  I                 P              F(P)\n");
}   
     

/* Absolute Value Function */
double absval(double val)
{
   if (val >= 0) return val;
   else return -val;
}
 
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So is cos() in your copy of math.h? It's in my VC++ Include folder's math.h. Is the compiler complaining about anything in stdio.h? I usually see a space after the #include statement for those two .h files, and don't know if not having a space will make the compiler not like those include definitions.
 
I've tried with different algorithms, and they all complain about some math functions like cos(),sin() and tan().

absval() might also be in the math.h library, but the compiler isn't complaining about it. It's not complaining about stdio.h. I tried including spaces betweeh # and include, still didn't work.
 
You might need to use "-lm" or something similar when you compile.
 
Oh yeah right it worked...used cc -lm filename.c -o filename.

thanks NateTG :)
 
btw why is it necessary to use the -lm option?
 
Thanks for the link, very useful. Do you guys recommend any editor other than VI? One that indents and stuff like that.
 
vim does indenting, and colors too. I don't remember how to activate the feature, though. (these days, vi is most likely simply an alias for vim)

xemacs (and emacs) seem to be popular editors too.

(I use the above two most often. I tend to use vim for quick edits, and xemacs for more extended editing sessions)


If you're willing to go download stuff, eclipse is a very nice IDE. The trouble is that it's designed for java -- it has a plugin for C/C++, but I don't know how good it is.

There are interesting editors that maybe others can say something about.
 
  • #10
I use Eclipse's CDT plugin (for C/C++) and its pretty nice. I use Eclipse for a lot of Java development though so I was already familiar with it before I started using CDT.
 
  • #11
Thanks for the recommendations. I'm using gedit right now, it's pretty nice and simple.
 
  • #12
I use nedit.

- Warren
 

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