C Program to Show Types of Errors
Here we will see different types of errors using a C program. In any programming language
errors are common. If we miss any syntax like parenthesis or semicolon then we get syntax
errors. Apart from this we also get run time errors during the execution of code.
There are 5 types of error in C:
1. Syntax Errors
2. Runtime Errors
3. Logical Errors
4. Linked Errors
5. Semantic Errors
Let’s discuss each of these in detail.
1. Syntax Errors
These are also referred to as compile-time errors. These errors have occurred when the rule of
C writing techniques or syntaxes has been broken. These types of errors are typically flagged
by the compiler prior to compilation.
Example 1: In the below program we are getting an error because of a missing semicolon at
the end of the output statement (printf()) called syntax error.
// C program to demonstrate
// a syntax error due to
// missing semi colon
#include <stdio.h>
// Driver code
int main()
{
// missing semicolon
printf("Geeks for geeks!")
return 0;
}
Output:
Example 2: In this case, we are getting errors because of missing parenthesis before the output statement
and below the main(). This type of error is also called syntax error.
// C program to demonstrate
// a syntax error due to
// missing parenthesis
#include <stdio.h>
// Driver code
int main()
printf("Geeks for Geeks");
return 0;
}
Output:
2. Runtime Errors
This type of error occurs while the program is running. Because this is not a compilation error,
the compilation will be completed successfully. These errors occur due to segmentation fault
when a number is divided by division operator or modulo division operator.
Example: Let us consider an array of length 5 i.e. array[5], but during runtime, if we try to access
10 elements i.e array[10] then we get segmentation fault errors called runtime errors. Giving
only an array length of 5
// C program to demonstrate
// a runtime error
#include <stdio.h>
// Driver code
int main()
{
int array[5];
printf("%d", array[10]);
return 0;
}
Output
-621007737
But in output trying to access more than 5 i.e if we try to access array[10] during runtime then
the program will throw an error or will show an abnormal behavior and print any garbage value
3. Logical Errors
Even if the syntax and other factors are correct, we may not get the desired results due to logical
issues. These are referred to as logical errors. We sometimes put a semicolon after a loop,
which is syntactically correct but results in one blank loop. In that case, it will display the desired
output.
Example: In the below example, the for loop iterates 5 times but the output will be displayed
only one time due to the semicolon at the end of for loop. This kind of error is called a logical
error.
// C program to demonstrate
// a logical error
#include <stdio.h>
// Driver code
int main()
{
int i;
for(i = 0; i <= 5; i++);
{
printf("Geeks for Geeks");
}
return 0;
}
Output
Geeks for Geeks
4. Linker Errors
When the program is successfully compiled and attempting to link the different object files with
the main object file, errors will occur. When this error occurs, the executable is not generated.
This could be due to incorrect function prototyping, an incorrect header file, or other factors. If
main() is written as Main(), a linked error will be generated.
Example: Below is the C program to show the linker error
5. Semantic Errors
When a sentence is syntactically correct but has no meaning, semantic errors occur. This is
similar to grammatical errors. If an expression is entered on the left side of the assignment
operator, a semantic error may occur.
Example: Below is the C program to show semantic error.
// C program to demonstrate
// a semantic error
#include <stdio.h>
// Driver code
int main()
{
int x = 10;
b = 20, c;
x + y = c;
printf("%d", c);
return 0;
}
Output: