# Why isn't Compile working for me? [closed]

I cannot get what's the problem with Compile function in my program. If I simply use the Abs function, I get this answer:

Abs[NestWhile[1/(#^2 + 2 #) &,
3 + 4*I, ((Abs[#1] > 0.01) && (#1 != -2 ) && (Abs[#1 - #2] >
0.001)) &, 2]]

1108116250625/(4097 Sqrt[4415238971393])


But if I make a function called PointFunction, it compiles, and when I try to find its value at the point 3 + 4*I, I get this error message:

PointFunction =
Compile[{{c, _Complex}},
Abs[NestWhile[1/(#^2 + 2 #) &,
c, ((Abs[#1] > 0.01) && (#1 != -2 ) && (Abs[#1 - #2] > 0.001)) &,
2]], {{x, _Complex}}]

PointFunction[3 + 4*I]


CompiledFunction::cfse: Compiled expression -128.657+3.99803 I should be a machine-size integer. >>
CompiledFunction::cfex: Could not complete external evaluation at instruction 1; proceeding with uncompiled evaluation. >>

1108116250625/(4097 Sqrt[4415238971393])


What is the problem? I have tried different options but they didn't work, and I have no idea at all.

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## closed as off-topic by m_goldberg, rasher, Öskå, RunnyKine, Michael E2Jul 5 at 15:27

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "This question arises due to a simple mistake such as a trivial syntax error, incorrect capitalization, spelling mistake, or other typographical error and is unlikely to help any future visitors, or else it is easily found in the documentation." – m_goldberg, rasher, Öskå, RunnyKine, Michael E2
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

Note that the form NestWhile[func, init, test] will compile but that NestWhile[func, init, test, 2] will not. The compiler calls Mma via MainEvaluate to execute your NestWhile, so you don't save time. You can inspect the compiled code with Needs["CompiledFunctionTools"]; CompilePrint@PointFunction. –  Michael E2 Jul 5 at 5:30
I changed {{x, _Complex}}, the last argument you give to Compile, to {{_, _Complex}} and it seems to work fine. PointFunction[3 + 4*I] now gives 128.719, which is the numeric value of 1108116250625/(4097 Sqrt[4415238971393])`. –  m_goldberg Jul 5 at 5:35