EXTERN

用于声明在别处定义的对象或函数 （并且具有外部链接 ）。通常，它用于声明要在模块中使用的对象或函数，该模块不是定义相应对象或函数的模块：

/* 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

通过在 C99 中引入 inline 关键字，事情变得更有趣：

/* 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);