[Dev-C++] multiple definition linker error

[Andrew J. <bu...@wo...>]

hi,
I call a header file (tree.h) from two c files(main.c & tree.c)... when I 
do this, an int fileNo gets declared twice, because the header is called 
twice, twice causing a linker error. I then add:
#ifndef TREE_H
#define TREE_H
//functions and struct here
int fileNo = 0;
#endif

for some reason that didnt keep the compiler from reading the contents of 
tree.h multiple times... im rather stumped, it almost seems like its 
ignoring all the preprocessor commands except #include altogether. i cant 
imagine any linker params that id need to set but im not sure.

im running version 4.9.4.2 of dev and in compiler options, I have all 3 c 
compiler options selected.

anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.