Compiler Error C2561

'identifier' : function must return a value

The function was declared as returning a value, but the function definition does not contain a return statement.

This error can be caused by an incorrect function prototype:

1. If the function does not return a value, declare the function with return type void.

2. Check that all possible branches of the function return a value of the type declared in the prototype.

3. C++ functions containing inline assembly routines that store the return value in the AX register may need a return statement. Copy the value in AX to a temporary variable and return that variable from the function.

The following sample generates C2561:

// C2561.cpp
int Test(int x) {
   if (x) {
      return;   // C2561
      // try the following line instead
      // return 1;
   }
   return 0;
}

int main() {
   Test(1);
}