function - C - Return value to main -

haven't found answering question, here goes:

i want return integer function main further use, it's add() function creates list entries in text file. integer want return called error, declared 0 @ beginning of function , changes 1 when condition met (in case, if character other a-z, a-z, - , ' ' found). if condition met, want return error (as 1) main function, otherwise return 0. in main have if statement checks if error 1 print error message , return 1. possible? i've tried few things doesn't work, if initialize error variable 0 in main, shouldn't add function change 1 in case of error condition? don't want use global variables , want implement add function main last resort.

sorry if complete nonsense, beginner.

int add(char line[]) {     struct node *newnode = (struct node *) malloc(sizeof(struct node));     struct node *walker = newnode;      strcpy(newnode->name, line);                      int check = 0;     int error = 0;      while(line[check] != '\n')     {         if(line[check] == '!')         {             error = 1;             return error;                }         check++;     }     .    //here creation of list elements     .    //if functions reaches end, returns error 0 value     .     } 

and main:

int main() {     file *fp;     char line[33];     int error = 0;      fp = fopen("test.txt", "r");      if(!fp)     {         printf("error.");         return 0;     }      while(fgets(line, 33, fp) != null)     {         add(line);     }     fclose(fp);      if(error == 1)     {         printf("error");         return 1;     }      // ... } 

edit: ok, i've made work, , since few people had right solution me, wanted here! don't know if can choose multiple answers correct.

the variables have in add() , main() local variables. means values contain cannot used outside respective functions. when add() returns value, need have variable in main() collect that. so,

while(fgets(line, 33, fp) != null) {       /* here when add returns 1 or 0, value collected         * "error" variable of main function */       error = add(line);       if( error == 1 ) break ; /* simple :-) */       /* once add() returns, break while loop          continue main() instructions ahead */ }