(defun balance-curlies ()
  (interactive)
  (while (search-forward "{" nil t)
    (search-forward-regexp "{\\|}")
    (if (= (preceding-char) ?{)
	(error "you blew it here")
    )
  )
)

(defun balance-comments ()
  (interactive)
  (while (search-forward "/*" nil t)
    (search-forward-regexp "/\\*\\|\\*/")
    (if (= (preceding-char) ?*)
	(error "you blew it here")
    )
  )
)