PSET5 - CHECK returning... nothing?

Question

I have one more questions about SPELLER. I've completed all my codes for load, check, size and unload. I'm now trying to debug all of them. It appears I have an error with my check function, which one is suppose to return true or false. I think this error is linked to the numerous false statements. Probably, confusion is there.

Actually I thought all cases were covered and if any of the returns were reached in the loop, the last false statement would be return. Should I rewrite my code in a way only one choice is made at the end of the loop between returning true or returning false?

Please, someone can explain me why this fault occur. I want to continue debugging my programs but now I'm just turning in circle.

There, you will find my code for CHECK and a print screen of my prompt command trying to run speller in gdb :

bool check(const char* word)
{
// initialize variable
int index = 0;

// Processing throughout word
for (int i = 0, n = strlen(word); i <= n; i++)
{
    // pointing current to root
    current = root;

    if (isalpha(word[i]))
    {
        if (i == 0)
        {
            index = tolower(word[i]) - 'a';
            current = root->children[index];

            if (root->children[index] == NULL)
            {
                return false;
        }

        else
        {
            index = tolower(word[i]) - 'a';
            current = current->children[index];

            if (current->children[index] == NULL)
            {
                return false;
            }
        }
    }

    else if (word[i] == '\'' && i > 0)
    {
        current = current->children[26];

        if (current->children[26] == NULL)
        {
            return false;
        }
    }

    else if (word[i] == '\0' && i == n)
    {
        // if is a completed word
        if (current->is_word == true)
        {
            return true;
        }

        else return false;
    }
}

return false;
}
}

and there, print screen of my prompt :

Answer 1

At the bottom of your code, there is a place where your function will not return anything. That's probably around line 93 in your program, the line that clang complained about.

Now you need to follow the logic, either on paper or with gdb, to see what conditions(s) will get you to that spot. One pair of braces in your code stands out because of their alignment. I leave it to you to determine if that is contributing to your problem. And to be clear, adding a return true; or return false; at that point in the program will "fix" the compile error. However, you really need to evaluate all your if/else/else if conditions to make sure the function works as you intend and returns the correct result.