c - assigning struct in switch not working -

in program, i'm trying create new struct based od switch statement, when so, compiler returns error:

syntax error before '{' token on row position assignment

i'm using dev-c++ 4.9.9.2 ide (i think it's using mingw compiler). it's brother's programming assignment i'm helping him with, haven't seen c in few years, i'm rusty (and wasn't champion before either).

here's simplified code:

typedef enum{top_right = 0,top_left,bottom_right,bottom_left} diagonal_t; typedef struct {    int row;    int column; } position_t; ... void checkdiagonal(diagonal_t diagonal_to_check) {     ...     position_t position;     switch(diagonal_to_check)     {         case top_right:              position = {0,0}; //here's error, don't know how repair it.                                //how create new struct here without disrupting                                //switch?              break;         case top_left:              position = {0,0};              break;         ....     } } 

the var_of_type_struct = { init_value } syntax works in definitions; not work in assignments.

three common ways deal are

1. defining function initializes struct
2. defining function sets fields parameters pass, and
3. assigning individual fields of struct.

approach 1:

void init_pos(position_t *p) {     p->row = 0;     p->column = 0; } ... case top_left:     init_pos(&position);     break; 

approach 2:

void set_pos(position_t *p, int r, int c) {     p->row = r;     p->column = c; } ... case top_left:     set_pos(&position, 0, 0);     break; 

approach 3:

case top_left:     position.row = 0;     position.column = 0;     break;