ctags problem when generating tags for .h and .c file in two different directory

Question

Now I have two directory, all of header files *.h are included in directory /inc, while all of c file *.c are stored in /src directory.

The directory just like this, (/project is a up level directory):

/project-- |----/inc
           |----/src

I want to use ctrl+] to locate definition of one parameter or one function in a source file like example.c. How to generate those tags?

My method is:

(1) cd to the /project directory

(2) ctags inc/*.h src/*.c

Then a tags file is generated there, however, when I open a example file and using "Ctrl+]", it cannot lead me to its definition. Why???

Do I need to generate a tags file under /src???

Any help? Many thanks!

Answer 1

Go to /project, and use the command "ctags -R ." In your .vimrc, put the command "set tags=/project/tags". Exit vim and enter it again. Tags should now work.

Answer 2

In vim, try typing:

1. :pwd
2. :set tags

Verify that the path to your tagfile is present in output of 2, relative to the path that is the output of 1.

NOTE: You can set the tags variable as part of your local .vimrc.

UPDATE: It is common to set tags to a pattern like tags,../tags,../../tags. With this pattern, vim will use the first tags file that it finds your folder structure (again relative to your pwd).