c++ Binary tree conflicting types error

Question

Q:Could someone give a hint, why inside my program here are conflicting types, even if its the same?

Answer 1

If you call a function before it is defined (i.e. earlier in the file than the definition), the compiler won't know the argument types and return type. You need to have a function prototype before the function is called. Usually people put function prototypes in header files, but you could just add one near the top of your file.

Answer 2

You missed a '}' before the definition of a balance_tree. like that:

    exit(-1)
}
}      /* this one */

treeNode* balance_tree(treeNode* currentNode) {