Obj-C function declaration needs semi-colon? - objective-c

Question

This is really simple but driving me nuts.
I am trying to implement a simple function in my Objective-C code. When I write this,
NSInteger Sort_Function(id id1, id id2, void *context) {
}
I get an error that a semi-colon was expected at the end of the declaration. However, I've seen this type of syntax in many, many examples. What could I possibly be doing wrong? If it matters, this is an iOS app and the function is nested in an if clause. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The function definition -- this snippet you posted -- is "nested in a if clause"? That's unfortunately illegal in C (and Obj-C by extension) -- all function declarations and definitions have to be at the top level of the file. Inside an #implementation section is also an option:
// Start of file
// Declaration or definition valid here
void my_func(void); // Declaration
void my_other_func(void);
void my_third_func(void);
void my_func(void) { // Definition
return;
}
#implementation MyClass
// Definition also valid here
void my_other_func(void) {
return;
}
- (void) myMethod {
if( YES ){
void my_third_func(void) { // Invalid here
return;
}
}
}
#end
Is it possible you're confusing the function syntax with block syntax?
// The caret indicates definition of a block, sort of an anonymous function
int (^myBlock)(int);
myBlock = ^int (int my_int) {
return my_int;
};