extern keyword c++ code example

Example 1: what is the usage of extern in c

#include <stdio.h>
extern int x = 32;
int b = 8;
int main() {
   auto int a = 28;
   extern int b;
   printf("The value of auto variable : %d\n", a);
   printf("The value of extern variables x and b : %d,%d\n",x,b);
   x = 15;
   printf("The value of modified extern variable x : %d\n",x);
   return 0;
}

Example 2: extern c++

// extern basically defines a global variable.

//fileA.cpp
int i = 42; // declaration and definition

//fileB.cpp
extern int i;  // declaration only. same as i in FileA

//fileC.cpp
extern int i;  // declaration only. same as i in FileA

//fileD.cpp
int i = 43; // LNK2005! 'i' already has a definition.
extern int i = 43; // same error (extern is ignored on definitions)

Example 3: when to use extern "C"

extern "C"{
   int printf(const char *format,...);
}
main() {
   printf("Hello World");
}