[Math] $f(z)=\bar{z}$ has no primitive

complex-analysis

As a consequence of Goursat's Theorem, we can prove that every holomorphic function on an open disk has primitive.

Question: Is it true that every continuous function $f\colon D\rightarrow \mathbb{C}$ has primitive? [D=open disc in $\mathbb{C}$]

The answer I think is "NO". But my explanation involves use of some important theorems. The example I thought is $f(z)=\overline{z}$. If this $f$ has primitive, then $f$ has to be holomorphic, a contradiction.

The problem I would concern here is the following:

Problem: Can we give an elementary argument that $f(z)=\overline{z}$ has no primitive in any open disc?

(I want to avoid the theorem that "a complex function which is once differentiable is infinitely many times differentiable").

Best Answer

Take an open disc around $z_0$. Then you can find $\varepsilon>0$ such that the closed path $$ \gamma: \phi\in[0,2\pi] \mapsto z_0 + \varepsilon e^{i\phi}$$ is inside the disc.

Now note that $$\oint_\gamma \bar z dz = i \epsilon\int_0^{2\pi} (\bar z_0 + \epsilon e^{-i\phi}) e^{i\phi} d\phi = i \epsilon^2 \int_0^{2\pi} d\phi = 2\pi i \epsilon^2 \ne0.$$ However, for $\bar z$ to have a primitive this integral should be $0$ as the path is closed.