Thread: sizeof array

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    8

    Question sizeof array

    Hi,
    Was trying this program

    Code:
    #include<stdio.h>
    
    int retsize( int a[] );
    
    int main()
    {
         int arr[]={1,2,3,4};
    
         printf(" size = %d \n",sizeof(arr));
         printf(" size = %d \n",retsize(arr));
    
         return 0;
    }
    
    int retsize (int arr[])
    {
        return sizeof(arr);
    }
    The answer im getting is
    size = 16
    size = 4

    i wonder why the function is not returning 16 too.
    please shed some light. and how do i correct it

    Thanks
    MAx

  2. #2
    and the Hat of Guessing tabstop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    14,336
    It is not possible to pass an array to a function. Instead, a pointer to the first element is passed (and as you see, pointers are four bytes).

  3. #3
    Kernel hacker
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    Jul 2007
    Location
    Farncombe, Surrey, England
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    15,677
    And if you actually want to use the size of an array when it has been passed to a function, you need to pass the original size from the calling code - that is, add another parameter to the function that indicates the size.

    --
    Mats
    Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
    Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.

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