EXTERN

用於宣告在別處定義的物件或函式 （並且具有外部連結 ）。通常，它用於宣告要在模組中使用的物件或函式，該模組不是定義相應物件或函式的模組：

/* file1.c */
int foo = 2;  /* Has external linkage since it is declared at file scope. */

/* file2.c */
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
    /* `extern` keyword refers to external definition of `foo`. */
    extern int foo;
    printf("%d\n", foo);
    return 0;
}

Version >= C99

通過在 C99 中引入 inline 關鍵字，事情變得更有趣：

/* Should usually be place in a header file such that all users see the definition */
/* Hints to the compiler that the function `bar` might be inlined */
/* and suppresses the generation of an external symbol, unless stated otherwise. */
inline void bar(int drink)
{
    printf("You ordered drink no.%d\n", drink);
}

/* To be found in just one .c file.
   Creates an external function definition of `bar` for use by other files.
   The compiler is allowed to choose between the inline version and the external
   definition when `bar` is called. Without this line, `bar` would only be an inline
   function, and other files would not be able to call it. */
extern void bar(int);