ANSI: va_list in <stdio.h>

Roland McGrath rk9005 at cca.ucsf.edu
Wed Apr 13 10:45:18 AEST 1988


Since the prototypes for v*printf in <stdio.h> use the `va_list' type,
that type must be defined.
I see several ways that this can be handled:
	1) Don't define `va_list' at all in <stdio.h>
		- The Standard doesn't say <stdio.h> defines `va_list'
		Sub-methods:
		a) If the user hasn't included <stdarg.h> just let him get
		error messages (OUT OF THE QUESTION)
		b) Only declare v*printf if <stdarg.h> is included.  (maybe OK)
	2) Do define `va_list' in <stdio.h>:
		Sub_methods:
		a) Have <stdio.h> include <stdarg.h>  (probably not)
		- The Standard doesn't say <stdio.h> defines all those things.
		b) Have <stdio.h> define only `va_list' (maybe)

I think 2b is generally good, 1b is definitely strictly-conformant, since
the descriptions of v*printf say `#include <stdarg.h>'.

Any words from the horse's mouth?
-- 
	Roland McGrath
ARPA: roland at rtsg.lbl.gov roland at lbl-rtsg.arpa
UUCP: ...!ucbvax!lbl-rtsg.arpa!roland



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