Compile error

I am working on a script, in which I call a function (state) that I wrote. However, the compiler always reports an error on the first character of that function. I suppose it is something stupid that I forgot to add, or added too much, but I can't seem to find it, and the compiler doesn't really give alot of details either.

touch_start(integer total_number) { state dirty; }
    
    //Start the talking sequences
    state dirty ()
    {
        while (1)
        {
            rnd =  llCeil(llFrand(12));

The error I get says: (37, 4) : ERROR: Syntax error
where 37,4 is the first letter of the "state dirty()" line.
Is there anyone who can help me out here? And does anybody know of a way to get some more descriptive compiling errors?

Thanks!

two things
firstly the code sample you have posted would appear to imply that the state dirty is either inside another state or that you have a touch_start event handler not in any state.

States have to be self contained, i.e. they cannot be inside other states or overlap.

default
{
}

state dirty
{
}


not

default
{
state dirty
{
}
}


And secondly states are not declared with parameters or brackets!

As for better error messages use lslint

>> States have to be self contained, i.e. they cannot be inside other states or overlap.

That was the one! Thank you bigtime! Up to the next problem

I've jsut reread your post and I think I see a conceptual problem.
I fear you are misunderstanding the terms state, function and event_handler.

You declare your own functions before any state definitions.
states contain event handlers, they are predefined and reserved named functions.

// UserDefined function returning a vector
vector MyFunction()
{
    // calling a LSL predefined function
    vector pos = llGetPos();
    return pos;
}

// Default state (every script must have one!)
default
{
   // state_entry event handler - called when the script first enters this state
   state_entry()
   {
        // Switch to user defined state Dirty
        state Dirty;
   }
}

state Dirty
{
   //  touch event handler
   touch_start(integer total_number)    
    { 
        // Calling our own function
        vector pos = MyFunction();     
    } 
}

Thank you, indeed, I was mixing up "state" and function. Your explanation made it quite clear, thanks.