C.5 Symbol handling

This section lists all the messages that concern the handling of symbols. This means all things that have to do with procedure and variable names.

Error: Identifier not found ”arg1”


The compiler doesn’t know this symbol. Usually happens when you misspell the name of a variable or procedure, or when you forget to declare a variable.

Fatal: Internal Error in SymTableStack()


An internal error occurred in the compiler; If you encounter such an error, please contact the developers and try to provide an exact description of the circumstances in which the error occurs.

Error: Duplicate identifier ”arg1”


The identifier was already declared in the current scope.

Hint: Identifier already defined in arg1 at line arg2


The identifier was already declared in a previous scope.

Error: Unknown identifier ”arg1”


The identifier encountered has not been declared, or is used outside the scope where it is defined.

Error: Forward declaration not solved ”arg1”


This can happen in two cases:

Error: Error in type definition


There is an error in your definition of a new array type. One of the range delimiters in an array declaration is erroneous. For example, Array [1..1.25] will trigger this error.

Error: Forward type not resolved ”arg1”


A symbol was forward defined, but no declaration was encountered.

Error: Only static variables can be used in static methods or outside methods


A static method of an object can only access static variables.

Error: Record or object or class type expected


The variable or expression isn’t of the type record or object or class.

Error: Instances of classes or objects with an abstract method are not allowed


You are trying to generate an instance of a class which has an abstract method that wasn’t overridden.

Warning: Label not defined ”arg1”


A label was declared, but not defined.

Error: Label used but not defined ”arg1”


A label was declared and used, but not defined.

Error: Illegal label declaration


This error should never happen; it occurs if a label is defined outside a procedure or function.

Error: GOTO and LABEL are not supported (use switch -Sg)


You must use the -Sg switch to compile a program which has labels and goto statements. By default, label and goto are not supported.

Error: Label not found


A goto label was encountered, but the label wasn’t declared.

Error: identifier isn’t a label


The identifier specified after the goto isn’t of type label.

Error: label already defined


You are defining a label twice. You can define a label only once.

Error: illegal type declaration of set elements


The declaration of a set contains an invalid type definition.

Error: Forward class definition not resolved ”arg1”


You declared a class, but you did not implement it.

Hint: Unit ”arg1” not used in arg2


The unit referenced in the uses clause is not used.

Hint: Parameter ”arg1” not used


The identifier was declared (locally or globally) but was not used (locally or globally).

Note: Local variable ”arg1” not used


You have declared, but not used, a variable in a procedure or function implementation.

Hint: Value parameter ”arg1” is assigned but never used


The identifier was declared (locally or globally) and assigned to, but is not used (locally or globally) after the assignment.

Note: Local variable ”arg1” is assigned but never used


The variable in a procedure or function implementation is declared and assigned to, but is not used after the assignment.

Hint: Local arg1 ”arg2” is not used


A local symbol is never used.

Note: Private field ”arg1.arg2” is never used


The indicated private field is defined, but is never used in the code.

Note: Private field ”arg1.arg2” is assigned but never used


The indicated private field is declared and assigned to, but never read.

Note: Private method ”arg1.arg2” never used


The indicated private method is declared but is never used in the code.

Error: Set type expected


The variable or expression is not of type set. This happens in an in statement.

Warning: Function result does not seem to be set


You can get this warning if the compiler thinks that a function return value is not set. This will not be displayed for assembler procedures, or procedures that contain assembler blocks.

Warning: Type ”arg1” is not aligned correctly in current record for C


Arrays with sizes not multiples of 4 will be wrongly aligned for C structures.

Error: Unknown record field identifier ”arg1”


The field doesn’t exist in the record/object definition.

Warning: Local variable ”arg1” does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. appeared in the left-hand side of an assignment).

Warning: Variable ”arg1” does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. appeared in the left-hand side of an assignment).

Error: identifier idents no member ”arg1”


This error is generated when an identifier of a record, field or method is accessed while it is not defined.

Hint: Found declaration: arg1


You get this when you use the -vh switch.In the case of an overloaded procedure not being found. Then all candidate overloaded procedures are listed, with their parameter lists.

Error: Data element too large


You get this when you declare a data element whose size exceeds the prescribed limit (2 Gb on 80386+/68020+ processors).

Error: No matching implementation for interface method ”arg1” found


There was no matching method found which could implement the interface method. Check argument types and result type of the methods.

Warning: Symbol ”arg1” is deprecated


This means that a symbol (a variable, routine, etc...) which is declared as deprecated is used. Deprecated symbols may no longer be available in newer versions of the unit / library. Use of this symbol should be avoided as much as possible.

Warning: Symbol ”arg1” is not portable


This means that a symbol (a variable, routine, etc...) which is declared as platform is used. This symbol’s value, use and availability is platform specific and should not be used if the source code must be portable.

Warning: Symbol ”arg1” is not implemented


This means that a symbol (a variable, routine, etc...) which is declared as unimplemented is used. This symbol is defined, but is not yet implemented on this specific platform.

Error: Can’t create unique type from this type


Only simple types like ordinal, float and string types are supported when redefining a type with type newtype = type oldtype;.

Hint: Local variable ”arg1” does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. it did not appear in the left-hand side of an assignment).

Hint: Variable ”arg1” does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. t did not appear in the left-hand side of an assignment).

Warning: Function result variable does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that the function result variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) before it is initialized (i.e. before it appeared in the left-hand side of an assignment).

Hint: Function result variable does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that the function result variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) before it is initialized (i.e. it appears in the left-hand side of an assignment)

Warning: Variable ”arg1” read but nowhere assigned


You have read the value of a variable, but nowhere assigned a value to it.

Hint: Found abstract method: arg1


When getting a warning about constructing a class/object with abstract methods you get this hint to assist you in finding the affected method.

Warning: Symbol ”arg1” is experimental


This means that a symbol (a variable, routine, etc...) which is declared as experimental is used. Experimental symbols might disappear or change semantics in future versions. Usage of this symbol should be avoided as much as possible.

Warning: Forward declaration ”arg1” not resolved, assumed external


This happens if you declare a function in the interface of a unit in macpas mode, but do not implement it.

Warning: Symbol ”arg1” is belongs to a library


This means that a symbol (a variable, routine, etc...) which is declared as library is used. Library symbols may not be available in other libraries.

Warning: Symbol ”arg1” is deprecated: ”arg2”


This means that a symbol (a variable, routine, etc...) which is declared as deprecated is used. Deprecated symbols may no longer be available in newer versions of the unit / library. Use of this symbol should be avoided as much as possible.

Error: Cannot find an enumerator for the type ”arg1”


This means that compiler cannot find an appropriate enumerator to use in the for-in loop. To create an enumerator you need to define an operator enumerator or add a public or published GetEnumerator method to the class or object definition.

Error: Cannot find a ”MoveNext” method in enumerator ”arg1”


This means that compiler cannot find a public MoveNext method with the Boolean return type in the enumerator class or object definition.

Error: Cannot find a ”Current” property in enumerator ”arg1”


This means that compiler cannot find a public Current property in the enumerator class or object definition.

Error: Mismatch between number of declared parameters and number of colons in message string.


In Objective-C, a message name automatically contains as many colons as parameters. In order to prevent mistakes when specifying the message name in FPC, the compiler checks whether this is also the case here. Note that in case of messages taking a variable number of arguments translated to FPC via an array of const parameter, this final array of const parameter is not counted. Neither are the hidden self and _cmd parameters.

Note: Private type ”arg1.arg2” never used


The indicated private type is declared but is never used in the code.

Note: Private const ”arg1.arg2” never used


The indicated private const is declared but is never used in the code.

Note: Private property ”arg1.arg2” never used


The indicated private property is declared but is never used in the code.

Warning: Unit ”arg1” is deprecated


This means that a unit which is declared as deprecated is used. Deprecated units may no longer be available in newer versions of the library. Use of this unit should be avoided as much as possible.

Warning: Unit ”arg1” is deprecated: ”arg2”


This means that a unit which is declared as deprecated is used. Deprecated units may no longer be available in newer versions of the library. Use of this unit should be avoided as much as possible.

Warning: Unit ”arg1” is not portable


This means that a unit which is declared as platform is used. This unit use and availability is platform specific and should not be used if the source code must be portable.

Warning: Unit ”arg1” is belongs to a library


This means that a unit which is declared as library is used. Library units may not be available in other libraries.

Warning: Unit ”arg1” is not implemented


This means that a unit which is declared as unimplemented is used. This unit is defined, but is not yet implemented on this specific platform.

Warning: Unit ”arg1” is experimental


This means that a unit which is declared as experimental is used. Experimental units might disappear or change semantics in future versions. Usage of this unit should be avoided as much as possible.

Error: No full definition of the formally declared class ”arg1” is in scope. Add the unit containing its full definition to the uses clause.


Objecive-C and Java classes can be imported formally, without using the unit in which it is fully declared. This enables making forward references to such classes and breaking circular dependencies amongst units. However, as soon as you wish to actually do something with an entity of this class type (such as access one of its fields, send a message to it, or use it to inherit from), the compiler requires the full definition of the class to be in scope.

Error: Gotos into initialization or finalization blocks of units are not allowed


Gotos into initialization or finalization blockse of units are not allowed.

Error: Invalid external name ”arg1” for formal class ”arg2”


Error: Complete class definition with external name ”arg1” here


When a class is declared using a formal external definition, the actual external definition (if any) must specify the same external name as the formal definition (since both definitions refer to the same actual class type).

Warning: Possible library conflict: symbol ”arg1” from library ”arg2” also found in library ”arg3”


Some OS do not have library specific namespaces, for those OS, the function declared as ”external ’libname’ name ’funcname’”, the ’libname’ part is only a hint, funcname might also be loaded by another library. This warning appears if ’funcname’ is used twice with two different library names.

Error: Cannot add implicit constructor ’Create’ because identifier already used by ”arg1”


Java does not automatically add inherited constructors to child classes, so that they can be hidden. However, if a class does not explicitly declare at least one constructor, the compiler is required to add a public, parameterless constructor. In Java, constructors are nameless, but in FPC they are all called “Create”. Therefore, if you do not add a constructor to a Java class and furthermore use the “Create” identifier for another entity (e.g., a field, or a parameterless method), the compiler cannot satisfy this requirement.

Error: Cannot generate default constructor for class, because parent has no parameterless constructor


Java does not automatically add inherited constructors to child classes, so that they can be hidden. However, if a class does not explicitly declare at least one constructor, the compiler is required to add a public, parameterless constructor. This compiler must then call the parameterless constructor from the parent class inside this added constructor. This is however impossible if the parent class does not declare such a constructor. In this case you must add a valid constructor yourself.

Adding helper for arg1


A helper for the mentioned type is added to the current scope

Error: Found declaration: arg1


This message shows all overloaded declarations in case of an error.

Warning: Local variable ”arg1” of a managed type does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. appeared in the left-hand side of an assignment). Since the variable is managed, i. e. implicitly initialized by the compiler, this might be intended behaviour and does not necessarily mean that the code is wrong.

Warning: Variable ”arg1” of a managed type does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. appeared in the left-hand side of an assignment). Since the variable is managed, i. e. implicitly initialized by the compiler, this might be intended behaviour and does not necessarily mean that the code is wrong.

Hint: Local variable ”arg1” of a managed type does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. it did not appear in the left-hand side of an assignment). Since the variable is managed, i. e. implicitly initialized by the compiler, this might be intended behaviour and does not necessarily mean that the code is wrong.

Hint: Variable ”arg1” of a managed type does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that a variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) when it was not initialized first (i.e. t did not appear in the left-hand side of an assignment). Since the variable is managed, i. e. implicitly initialized by the compiler, this might be intended behaviour and does not necessarily mean that the code is wrong.

Warning: function result variable of a managed type does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that the function result variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) before it is initialized (i.e. before it appeared in the left-hand side of an assignment). Since the variable is managed, i. e. implicitly initialized by the compiler, this might be intended behaviour and does not necessarily mean that the code is wrong.

Hint: Function result variable of a managed type does not seem to be initialized


This message is displayed if the compiler thinks that the function result variable will be used (i.e. it appears in the right-hand side of an expression) before it is initialized (i.e. it appears in the left-hand side of an assignment). Since the variable is managed, i. e. implicitly initialized by the compiler, this might be intended behaviour and does not necessarily mean that the code is wrong.

Warning: Duplicate identifier ”arg1”


The identifier was already declared in an Objective-C category that’s in the same scope as the current identifier. This is a warning instead of an error, because while this hides the identifier from the category, there are often many unused categories in scope.

Error: Generic type parameter ”arg1” does not match with the one in the declaration


The specified generic type parameter for the generic class, record or routine does not match with the one declared in the declaration of the generic class, record or routine.

Error: Generic type parameter declared as ”arg1”


Shows what the generic type parameter was originally declared as if a mismatch is found between a declaration and the definition.

Error: Record or object type expected


The variable or expression isn’t of the type record or object.